Question

Walking a mile at a slow pace, from 1.8 to 2.5 mph, burns about 100 calories. Walking a mile at a brisk pace, from 3 to 4 mph, also burns about 100 calories, though in a shorter amount of time. Jogging a mile, from 4.5 to 6 mph, burns about the same 100 calories. The difference in covering a mile at faster speeds is not in the number of calories burned, but in the greater degree of cardio-vascular benefit. Which of the following conclusions is best supported by the statements above? Jogging builds more muscle tone than does walking at a slow pace. Speed is directly proportional to the number of calories burned. Walking at a brisk pace for a shorter amount of time burns more calories than does walking at a slow pace for a longer amount of time. There are benefits to walking at a slow pace other than burning calories. Jogging a mile offers greater cardiovascular benefit than does walking a mile briskly or at a slow pace.

Short answer

The best-supported conclusion is 'Jogging a mile offers greater cardiovascular benefit than does walking a mile briskly or at a slow pace'.

Step-by-step solution

Understand the context

Start by analyzing the paragraphs given which contain the information to answer the question. It is mentioned that walking at a slow pace, brisk pace and jogging a mile all burn about 100 calories. However, jogging is said to provide a greater degree of cardiovascular benefits.

Analyze the options

Now, analyze the proposed conclusions: \n1. Jogging builds more muscle tone than does walking at a slow pace: there is no mention in the paragraph about muscle tone.\n2. Speed is directly proportional to the number of calories burned: the paragraph contradicts this, stating all three activities burn around 100 calories.\n3. Walking at a brisk pace for a shorter amount of time burns more calories than does walking at a slow pace for a longer amount of time: again, the paragraph contradicts this statement.\n4. There are benefits to walking at a slow pace other than burning calories: the paragraph doesn't provide any evidence to support this statement.\n5. Jogging a mile offers greater cardiovascular benefit than does walking a mile briskly or at a slow pace: this is in line with the information provided in the paragraph.

Reach the conclusion

From the options provided, the fifth option 'Jogging a mile offers greater cardiovascular benefit than does walking a mile briskly or at a slow pace' is the only one supported by the statements in the paragraph.

Key concepts

Cardiovascular Benefits of Exercise

When discussing the health advantages of physical activity, the cardiovascular benefits of exercise are often at the forefront. Regular aerobic exercises, such as walking and jogging, enhance heart and lung function, improve blood flow, and can lower the risk of heart disease and stroke. The exercise described in the GMAT problem illustrates this well. While walking at any pace burns a similar amount of calories, jogging tends to provide superior cardiovascular benefits.

What does this mean for our health? An improved cardiovascular system can lead to increased stamina, reduced fatigue, and a stronger heart muscle. It's not all about the calorie burn; the manner in which we exercise can amplify specific health benefits. For instance, jogging tends to increase heart rate more significantly than walking at a slow or brisk pace, leading to better heart health over time. Ultimately, even if the calorie expenditure is the same, the intensity and type of the activity can yield different health results.

Calorie Expenditure and Exercise Intensity

Calorie expenditure is an important factor for those aiming to manage their weight or improve their fitness. A common misconception is that the faster or harder you exercise, the more calories you burn. However, as noted in the GMAT problem, walking and jogging a mile, despite the differences in intensity, both result in approximately 100 calories burned.

The key takeaway here is that exercise intensity affects how quickly calories are burned rather than the overall total. A brisker pace means a mile is covered in less time, so the caloric burn rate per minute is higher. Understanding this can help individuals plan their workouts more effectively, depending on their time constraints and fitness goals. Instead of just focusing on speed or intensity, it's beneficial to also consider the duration and frequency of the exercises to balance the health benefits with calorie expenditure.

Analyzing Conclusions from Data

The ability to draw accurate conclusions from data is a critical thinking skill valued in many contexts, including standardized tests like the GMAT. Interpreting the information provided about exercise and calorie burning, it's important not to make assumptions beyond the given data. For example, while jogging may offer greater cardiovascular benefits, the data does not support the idea that it builds more muscle tone than walking, nor does it suggest that speed is directly proportional to calorie burning.

Analyzing data involves looking for supported claims and eliminating those without evidence. When gleaning through information presented in exercises, students should compare each conclusion to the data provided, much like in the GMAT problem-solving exercise. Selecting the statement that jogging offers greater cardiovascular benefit aligns with the data, whereas other conclusions might be appealing but aren't substantiated by the information at hand.