How can people be encouraged to be active rather than sedentary? One study suggests a dog might help. Older people who have dogs get more exercise than those without canine companionship, probably because of walking the dog.
The Benefits of Walking the Dog:
A British study of people between 65 and 81 years old used activPAL monitors to compare physical activity between 43 people with dogs and 43 without. The scientists were careful to match the two groups with regard to gender, weight, height, walking ability and overall health.
On average, the dog owners walked 21 minutes more a day, and they were stepping along at a decent clip. This gets them very close to World Health Organization recommendations of 150 minutes a week of moderate to vigorous exercise.
The investigators conclude that walking the dog contributes significantly to physical activity among older adults. The way we see it, daily walks are good for both pet and person.
Dall et al, BMC Public Health, online June 9, 2017
Other Research on Walking the Dog:
Just taking more steps, and more rapid ones, is a great benefit. Data from the Women’s Health Initiative also showed that older women with dogs reported significantly more physical activity than women without dogs (Garcia et al, Preventive Medicine, Jan. 2015). In addition, previous research has shown that older adults have more favorable heart rate variability when walking the dog (Motooka et al, Medical Journal of Australia, Jan. 16, 2006).
