Abstract
Introduction: Despite a growing body of research indicating that dog walking contributes to meeting physical activity (PA) guidelines, this literature is limited by the use of self-report measures of dog walking and overall PA. The objectives of this pilot study were to objectively assess dog walking with accelerometry, characterize the frequency, duration, and intensity of dog walking, and determine the contribution of dog walking to overall moderate-vigorous physical activity (MVPA). Methods: Sixty-five dog owners wore an Actigraph GT3X accelerometer for up to 7 consecutive days and recorded start/end times for dog walks with daily log sheets. Each minute with an activity count ≥ 760 was classified as MVPA. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize all variables. Logistic regression was used to examine associations between dog walking MVPA bouts and meeting PA guidelines, controlling for age, education, income, and gender. Results: Participants walked their dog an average of 1.2 ± 1.1 times/day, averaged 28.0 ± 15.6 minutes/walk, and accumulated 22.9 ± 17.5 minutes of MVPA/day during dog walks, of which 21.7 ± 17.9 minutes were accumulated in bouts ≥10 minutes. Seventy-eight percent of dog walking was classified as moderate-intensity and 3.5% was vigorous. Dog walking MVPA had a statistically significant positive association with meeting PA guidelines (OR = 2.32; 95% CI = 1.06, 5.08). Conclusions: The majority of dog walking minutes were moderate-intensity and most minutes of MVPA during dog walking occurred in bouts. These findings suggest that dog walking is consistent with current PA guidelines for adults and should receive more consideration as a PA promotion strategy.
Highlights
Despite a growing body of research indicating that dog walking contributes to meeting physical activity (PA) guidelines, this literature is limited by the use of self-report measures of dog walking and overall PA
Dog owners who do walk with their dog tend to be more active overall and are more likely to meet US physical activity guidelines than dog owners who do not walk with their dog [5]
The objectives of this pilot study were to: 1) objectively assess the extent to which dog walking is comprised of moderate intensity bouts ≥ 10 minutes; 2) assess differences in dog walking intensity, frequency, and duration by socio-demographic characteristics; and 3) objectively assess the contribution of dog walking to overall moderate-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and meeting physical activity guidelines (150 minutes of MVPA/week accumulated in bouts ≥10 minutes) [1]
Summary
Participation in regular physical activity decreases the risk of many chronic diseases and conditions such as cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes mellitus, osteoporosis, obesity, breast and colon cancer, and falls in older adults [1]. The proportion of dog walking that is considered health-enhancing, activity that is at least moderate-intensity and occurring in bouts ≥ 10 minutes, is not known [1]. The objectives of this pilot study were to: 1) objectively assess the extent to which dog walking is comprised of moderate intensity bouts ≥ 10 minutes; 2) assess differences in dog walking intensity, frequency, and duration by socio-demographic characteristics; and 3) objectively assess the contribution of dog walking to overall MVPA and meeting physical activity guidelines (150 minutes of MVPA/week accumulated in bouts ≥10 minutes) [1]
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