Amid the onslaught of fitness trends demanding fast and intense performance, a countercurrent is emerging from South Korea. People there are now starting to adopt a 'slow running' lifestyle, popularly known as the niko niko pace—a running method done at a relaxed speed, where runners are still able to converse and smile without gasping for breath.
This method is actually not a new discovery. The concept was first introduced by Japanese exercise physiologist Hiroaki Tanaka in the 1980s. Tanaka argued that many people fail to maintain an exercise habit because they start with an intensity that is too high and torturous. Instead, slow running is designed so that the body can move consistently over the long term without overburdening the joints or the cardiovascular system.
Medically, the benefits of slow running have been supported by various research. A study in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology showed that runners with light to moderate intensity have lower mortality rates than those who force themselves to do heavy running. Dan Gordon, an expert from Anglia Ruskin University, explained that training in this 'zone 2' is able to optimize molecular health, increase mitochondrial density, and improve insulin resistance.
This cultural shift is the antithesis of the 'social acceleration' phenomenon proposed by sociologist Hartmut Rosa. In the modern era, humans tend to get trapped in an obsession with numbers and data generated by technological devices, such as smartwatches that constantly count every step and heart rate. Exercise, which should be a means of relaxation, often turns into a competition that triggers new mental and physical pressure.
Through this movement, running is no longer viewed as a race to break personal records or beat others. Instead of chasing adrenaline-fueled speed, slow running offers a space for humans to rediscover life balance. The main message is clear: in many aspects of life, including health, running faster is no guarantee of reaching a better quality of life.
