For those of us with younger children, getting a workout in oftentimes
means taking the family along for a ride! We can feel that it is more difficult
to walk or run with the stroller, but just how
much more challenging is it? In addition to the extra weight load of your
child or children, pushing a jogging stroller also affects your stride and arm
swing capabilities when running. In a
study published in the International Journal of Sports Medicine (33, No. 9),
researchers found subjects increased their oxygen intake by about 9.4% and
their calorie expenditure by about 10.5% in comparison to running without a
jogging stroller. These results were
recorded when the strollers were loaded with 50 pounds, so if your weight load
is even higher (as mine now is!) you’ll be working even harder. (P.S. If you are concerned about a higher
heart rate - don’t be. No significant
differences were found in exercising heart rate.)
Yay for that extra calorie burn!
Not sure where to walk or run with your kiddos? Checkout nearby
parks for walking trails or find a paved bike route in your area. Larger housing developments often boast a walking
path, perhaps even with a pond to help keep your children busy watching for
ducks! Sidewalks or quiet neighborhoods work
well too. Just be especially wary of taking
your stroller on the road. No matter how
careful we are, we simply cannot be certain that every driver will be paying strong
attention to the road—and we are carrying precious cargo!
Resource:
Brzycki, M. (2013, July/August). AF Q & A. American Fitness, 15.
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