The Journal of Physical Activity and Health recently published an article on the benefits of dog walking—"The Impact of Dog Walking on Leisure-Time Physical Activity: Results From a Population-Based Survey of Michigan Adults" (read)—that was picked up by The New York Times. In their JPAH article, Mathew Reeves, Ann Rafferty, Corinne Miller, and Sarah Lyon-Callo describe the characteristics of people who walk their dog and assess the impact of dog walking on leisure-time physical activity, using the 2005 Michigan Behavioral Risk Factor Survey as their source.
They found that dog-walking was associated with more walking and leisure-time physical activity; 60 percent of dog owners who walked their pet for 10 or more minutes at a time met federal criteria for regular moderate or vigorous exercise. But the researches also discovered that a substantial cross-section of dog owners do not walk their dog. One possible solution, according to the authors, could be the promotion of dog walking.
To that end, Reeves (pictured walking his dogs), who is an associate professor with the Dept. of Epidemiology at Michigan State University, and the university press office promoted the article and, in Reeves’ words, “lucked out with the timing of this press release and the fact that The New York Times were doing a science section that was dedicated to animals and the human–animal bond.” The research of Reeves and his colleagues was a natural fit for the reporter and became the basis for the Times article (read), which ran on March 14, 2011.
The newspaper article, written by Tara Parker-Pope, suggested that those seeking the latest in exercise equipment “may want to consider something with four legs and a wagging tail.” To quote the Times:
Unlike other studies of dog ownership and walking, [Dr. Reeves’ study] also tracked other forms of exercise, seeking to answer what [Dr. Reeves] called an obvious question: whether dog walking “adds significantly to the amount of exercise you do, or is it simply that it replaces exercise you would have done otherwise?”
The answers were encouraging, said Dr. Reeves. ... The dog walkers had higher overall levels of both moderate and vigorous physical activity than the other subjects, and they were more likely to take part in other leisure-time physical activities like sports and gardening. On average, they exercised about 30 minutes a week more than people who didn’t have dogs.
For a limited time, JPAH is providing a free look at Reeves et al.’s research (read). The journal followed up with Reeves, who answered some additional questions.
JPAH: According to your research, 80.7% of people age 65 or older do not own dogs, compared to 50% of people age 35 to 44. One would assume that simply promoting dog ownership among people age 65 or older would be the first step in increasing leisure-time physical activity (LTPA). But a closer look at your research reveals a deeper problem. As a person’s age increases, he/she becomes more unlikely to be a dog walker (someone who walks a dog for at least 10 minutes at a time). A mere 8.9% of people age 65 or older walk his or her dog, compared to 33% of people age 35 to 44. So the issue is not just dog ownership, but also taking advantage of the LTPA benefits of dog ownership. Could you elaborate on these findings and suggest possible solutions?
REEVES: Those are interesting observations. As you point out, our data show that older people (>65) are less likely to own dogs and are substantially less likely to walk them. However, the paradox is that the older dog owners who do walk their dogs walk them a lot! So we see that older owners walk more than twice as long per week than the population as a whole (175 vs. 85 minutes of dog walking per week) and are twice as likely to achieve 150 minutes of dog walking per week (54% vs. 27%).
The other issue in our data is that the >65 age group obviously represents a broad age range with an equally large range of physical functions. Many older people will have dogs purely for companionship (without exercise), whereas a sub-group will obtain both the companionship benefits plus the exercise benefit. Ultimately, we want to promote responsible dog ownership in all age groups, but among those adults who are ambulatory our data suggest that dog walking can make a big impact on the amount of walking activity that an elderly person obtains—so that is what we would like to promote. Being an elderly dog owner who walks their dog is a win-win for both human and canine. There are huge health benefits to obtaining regular exercise for the elderly (and equal benefits to the dog), and dogs also provide companionship and many quality of life benefits.
JPAH: One study discussed in your article, "Dog Ownership, Walking Behavior, and Maintained Mobility in Late Life" (read), found that elderly people are more likely to take regular walks if they choose a canine, rather than a human, walking companion. I suppose it is tougher for a canine to talk its owner out of a walk than it is for a fellow human. In your research or the research of others, have you discovered other positive correlations for elderly who own dogs?
REEVES: We have not done these analyses per se in our data, but there is a lot of human-animal bond research that shows a broad range of quality of life benefits to dog ownership, particularly in the elderly [see McNicholas et al.’s “Pet Ownership and Human Health: A Brief Review of Evidence and Issues” (read)].
JPAH: The African-American population in your sample was significantly more likely to not own a dog than other ethnicities. Did your research suggest an explanation for that trend?
REEVES: No. We didn’t look at that, but these findings are consistent with national data on pet ownership that show that African Americans are substantially less likely to own dogs (or pets of any kind actually) compared to whites.
JPAH: According to your research, the composite dog walker is college educated with a higher-than-average household income. What are the possible reasons for the correlation between higher education level, higher rate of pay, and dog walking?
REEVES: Dog walkers are ‘compliant people’ who are more likely to understand that being a responsible dog owner involves a commitment to looking after their dog, which includes exercise. And these traits are correlated with better education (and income).
JPAH: In your interview with The New York Times, you mention that your own two Labrador dogs that demand to be walked late in the evening (during the 10 o’clock hour). Research seems to provide conflicting reports on whether late-night exercise disrupts or aids circadian rhythms. In your opinion, is late-night exercise often a good thing, and if so, would this be yet another check in favor of dog ownership?
REEVES: Speaking from personal experience only, I find a late-night walk with my dogs is a nice way of relaxing before bed time. Whereas, if I run or swim late at night (getting home after 10 p.m.) then I know I am going to be up for another two hours or so. So I would avoid vigorous activity if you want to go to bed early!
JPAH: How did your research findings mesh with your lifestyle traits/characteristics? Did you find your personal experiences to be represented in your research?
REEVES: Definitely. The research questions were generated through a combination of my training (as a veterinarian and then an epidemiologist), my own interest in physical activity (I am a marathon runner/triathlete), and then my experience as a dog owner (my dogs make me walk). So all three things came together to frame the research. I have thought less about the impact of all of these things on the elderly, but I am sure—as the years go by—that this personal experience will also impact future research of mine.
For more information:
Reeves et. al’s JPAH article, "The Impact of Dog Walking on Leisure-Time Physical Activity: Results From a Population-Based Survey of Michigan Adults" (read)
The New York Times article, "Forget the Treadmill. Get a Dog." (read)
Additional JPAH articles on dog walking (subscription required):
"Physical Activity Behavior of Dog Owners: Development and Reliability of the Dogs and Physical Activity (DAPA) Tool" by Cutt et al. (read)
"Dog Ownership and Health-Related Physical Activity Among Japanese Adults" by Oka & Shibata (read)
"Walking the Dog: Is Pet Ownership Associated With Physical Activity in California?" by Yabroff, Troiano, & Berrigan (read)
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