Participating in sports is a great way to stay in shape. However, there are some that burn more calories than others, according research from the National Institute of Health and the Mayo Clinic.

So, which athletic activity sheds the most weight?

The study revealed that out of eight sports analyzed, running took the top spot. Sprinting at 8 mph depletes 1,074 calories per hour. Soccer placed second with 937 calories burned per hour, and Taekwondo was No. 3 with 877 calories burned per hour.

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Passengers wait at a Delta check-in counter at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport on Friday, Nov. 7, 2025. It was the first day the Federal Aviation Administration cut flight capacity at airports during the government shutdown. (Arvin Temkar/AJC)

Credit: arvin.temkar@ajc.com