Burning more calories while walking 5,000 steps in an hour versus 30 minutes is attributed to multiple 'start-ups' in metabolism and the EPOC effect. Intermittent walking elevates heart rate repeatedly and requires more energy as muscles activate and recover several times, resulting in higher total calorie expenditure compared to continuous walking.Burning more calories while walking 5,000 steps in an hour versus 30 minutes is attributed to multiple 'start-ups' in metabolism and the EPOC effect. Intermittent walking elevates heart rate repeatedly and requires more energy as muscles activate and recover several times, resulting in higher total calorie expenditure compared to continuous walking.