Dogs ‘may help older adults stay active’
“Ultimately, our research will provide insights into how pet ownership may help older people achieve higher levels of physical activity."
Owning a dog could help older people to meet recommended physical activity levels, according to a new study which found that dog owners aged 65 and over walked for 22 minutes longer each day.
For good health, the World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends at least 150 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity per week.
UK researchers studied the activity levels of 43 dog owners and non-dog owners with similar lifestyles by asking them to wear an activPAL monitor. Study participants, who were aged 65 years and over, wore the monitors continuously for three periods of one week, over the course of a year.
Findings published in BMC Public Health show the dog owners were found to walk for 22 minutes longer a day at a moderate pace, compared to the non-dog owners.
Lead author Dr Philippa Dall at Glasgow Caledonian University said: “Over the course of a week, this additional 20 minutes walking each day may in itself be sufficient to meet these guidelines. Our findings represent a meaningful improvement in physical activity achieved through dog walking.”
Researchers monitored the time participants spent walking at a moderate pace, standing, sitting, the number of times they sat down and how long they spent sat down. They found that dog owners had significantly fewer ‘sitting events’ - continuous periods of sitting down - than non-dog owners. However, the overall time spent sitting was the same in the two groups.
Professor Daniel Mills, project leader from the University of Lincoln, commented: “We all know that as we get older we tend to slow down a little. By staying active we can improve our health and other aspects of our quality of life. Factors driving higher levels of physical activity in adults are not well defined. We were interested in assessing whether dog ownership has the potential to improve the health of older adults through increased activity.”
Co-author Nancy Gee, a WALTHAM researcher, added: “Ultimately, our research will provide insights into how pet ownership may help older people achieve higher levels of physical activity or maintain their physical activity levels for a longer period of time, which could improve their prospects for a better quality of life, improved or maintained cognition, and perhaps, even overall longevity.”
Two independent vets have launched a podcast to help owners strengthen their bond with pets. Dr Maggie Roberts and Dr Vanessa Howie, who have worked in both veterinary practice and major charities, are keen to use their experience to enable people to give pets a better life.
