Jalan Pagi Or Lari Sore, Which Is Better For Heart Health?

Illustration of running sports (Freepic)

JAKARTA - Maintaining heart health is very important, considering that cardiovascular disease is one of the main causes of death in the world.

One of the best ways to keep your heart healthy is to exercise regularly. The type of exercise that is often chosen for heart health is morning walking and afternoon running.

While both have tremendous benefits, you might wonder, which one is better for heart health, morning walk or afternoon run?

Reported by VOI from the Times of India page on Monday, February 24, the morning walk is one of the simplest but most effective exercises for the heart. This provides a low-impact way of training to stimulate blood circulation, regulate blood pressure, and strengthen the heart muscle without putting excessive pressure on the body.

One of the biggest advantages of the morning walk is to increase metabolism and fat burning. Research shows that exercising in fasting in the morning can encourage the body to use stored fats as fuel. This helps regulate weight and reduce the risk of obesity-related heart disease.

In addition, morning sun exposure helps production of Vitamin D, which is important for heart health, immune function, and bone strength. Sunlight also helps synchronize the rhythm of the body's sirdian, which improves sleep quality, a factor that directly affects heart health.

Bad sleep has been associated with high blood pressure, irregular heart rate, and increased stress, all of which put more stress on the heart.

Another advantage of the morning walk is its impact on mental well-being. Running outdoors with fresh air helps relieve stress, reduce stress hormones, and improve mood by increasing the production of serotonin and endorphins.

Since stress and anxiety are known to cause heart disease, regular morning walks can be a natural solution to maintain emotional balance and reduce cardiovascular risk.

For those looking for higher-intensity training to increase cardiovascular resistance and calorie burning, afternoon running can be a better choice.

Running involves more intense heart work than walking, helping to strengthen the heart muscle, increase lung capacity, and increase overall body resistance.

Research shows body temperature and muscle function peaked in the afternoon and evening, making afternoon training more effective for performance and durability. This means that running in the afternoon allows the body to move more efficiently, reduce the risk of injury, and increase recovery after training.

In addition, for people who struggle with high blood sugar levels or metabolic disorders, running in the afternoon can help glucose metabolism better. This allows the body to process sugar more effectively, reduce insulin resistance, and lower the risk of diabetes, one of the main risk factors for heart disease.

Afternoon runs can also be a powerful stress reliever, helping to release accumulated tensions throughout the day. After a day of work or study, physical activity can increase mood, reduce mental fatigue, and promote relaxation.

However, it is important to avoid high-intensity exercise too close to bedtime, as it can overstimulate the nervous system and interfere with sleep patterns.

From a cardiovascular point of view, both morning walks and afternoon runs have their own advantages. The choice between the two depends on:

For beginners, the elderly, or individuals with joint problems, the morning walk is a safer and more sustainable choice. Running has a greater impact on joints and requires a lot of resilience.

If weight loss is a major concern, a morning walk with an empty stomach can help burn stored fats, while afternoon runs can burn more calories in a shorter time.

The morning walk can help regulate blood pressure throughout the day and improve sleep quality. Afternoon runs can be effective for relieve stress, but should not be done too close to bedtime.

Choosing a sporting routine that suits your daily schedule is very important. The best exercise is what you can do consistently.

There is no definite answer regarding whether morning walks or afternoon runs are better for the heart. These two types of exercises make a positive contribution to heart health, and choices depend on individual lifestyles, destinations, and health conditions.

The most important thing is to stay active consistently. Do you prefer the quiet rhythm of the morning walk or the energetic speed of the afternoon run, both of which are effective in protecting and strengthening the heart. The key is to listen to the body, maintain regular routines, and make movement a natural part of everyday life.