Do you get more steps running rather than walking the same distance?

Have you ever paid attention to your step length when running and walking? In terms of movement, the biggest difference between running and walking is that when you walk, you always have one foot on the ground. When running, on the other hand, you have what is called an aerial stance where both legs are in the air at the same time.

So what about the speed?

Your running speed is the result of your step length multiplied by your step frequency. In other words, more and faster steps mean more speed. This is true for walking and running.

What is the ideal step length?

But what is the step length? For a height between 1.50 and 1.70, the average step length is about 60 cm, for a height over 1.70 about 70 cm. When running, the step length is of course also longer and is around 115 cm. This is quite a difference from walking.

The step length is individual and it therefore makes sense to measure it yourself. Because the above values are average values. You measure the step length by standing with both legs shoulder width apart and then start walking normally. The step length is the distance between the touchdown of the right foot and the touchdown of the left foot on the ground. 

How many steps in a mile?

The average steps for one mile are between 2000 to 2500 when your are walking and 1000 to 2000 steps when you are running.

But it is very different because it depends on your fitness level and your over all pace while moving and of course of the step length ;).

So the answer of getting more steps running rather than walking the same distance is not 100% clear. But if you run slow with a shorter step length and more average steps then for sure running will provide more steps. On the other side walking fast with a bigger step length will provide also a lot of steps.

Read more (external link © 2008 American College of Sports Medicine): ONE-MILE STEP COUNT AT WALKING AND RUNNING SPEEDS