Grab the Leash: Dog Walkers More Likely to Reach Exercise Benchmarks

ScienceDaily ^ | March 10, 2011 | Unknown

[Immerito]

ScienceDaily (Mar. 10, 2011) — Man's best friend may provide more than just faithful companionship: A new study led by a Michigan State University researcher shows people who owned and walked their dogs were 34 percent more likely to meet federal benchmarks on physical activity.

The results, said epidemiologist Mathew Reeves, show that promoting dog ownership and dog walking could help many Americans -- of which fewer than half meet recommended levels of leisure-time physical activity -- become healthier.

"Walking is the most accessible form of physical activity available to people," Reeves said. "What we wanted to know was if dog owners who walked their dogs were getting more physical activity or if the dog-walking was simply a substitute for other forms of activity."

The study appears in the current issue of the Journal of Physical Activity and Health.

[Immerito]

Yet-another-reason-to-love-your-doggies ping!

[FlingWingFlyer]

A new study led by a Michigan State University researcher shows people who owned and walked their dogs were 34 percent more likely to meet federal benchmarks on physical activity.

I wonder how much this "study" cost the taxpayers.

[Daffynition]

No cheating!

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[Rembrandt]

Is this why Moochelle OBummer has such a skinny can? Oh, I forgot; Moochelle can order a flunkie to walk the critter while she munches down mo ribs.

[TigersEye]

...federal benchmarks on physical activity.

And in case anyone has missed it those are literally Federal benchmarks now. 0bamaCare has provisions for setting up neighborhood monitors that insure that everyone is physically fit or penalties to your health care coverage will be assessed.

[Bean Counter]

One of the best things I ever did was let my wife talk me into adopting our Gus, who is now a 2+ year old male Pug. He and I have a twice a day walk through the local Park, rain, shine, snow and hail, so he can go poop someplace other than my yard.

I guarantee you I would never in a million years voluntarily walk as many miles as I have by myself in the rain, snow sleet and shine, but I sure do for my Gus twice a day. He and I have logged a bunch of miles, one daily walk at a time since he came home when he was 10 weeks old.

The first time out, we made it in front of the next door neighbor before he dug in his heels and refused to go any further. Now he is at my foot demanding I put on my shoes when "Special Report" is over at 4:00 sharp here in the Pacifist Northwest. My wife likes to walk him on weekends because she is off to work during the week, but on Saturday morning she has him in the leash and out the door....

Here's a pic of our Gus and the rest of the crew when they were just 7 weeks old....Gus is Dash-2 from the left with 2 little black birthmarks with his cheek on top of his brother Bear...



His name is Darwin's Gustav, but his call name is Gus...



He is also a very handy boy to have around as well as an invaluable supervisor....



He's an exceptional chicken herder and T-bone steak gorger, but he's all ours and I owe a great deal of my good health to the exercise he makes me get in spite of myself...

[Old Teufel Hunden]

Glad to hear your story and a cute little pug!! Whatever helps you get exercise, be it a dog or something else is a good thing. I love my boys (three daschunds) and love to take them for a walk while listening to my ipod. They don’t like walking in the cold weather so I’m just starting to walk them again in the past month.

[Joe 6-pack]

WOOOF!

The Doggie Ping list is for FReepers who would like to be notified of threads relating to all things canid. If you would like to join the Doggie Ping Pack (or be unleashed from it), FReemail me.

[commish]

I can attest to this. By the time my Golden Retriever is done dragging me through the neighborhood and around the duck pond I have walked a couple miles at her brisk pace and have also easily filled my quota of arm, chest and back strengthening exercises. ;-) LOL

[TheOldLady]

Awww, Gus is precious.

[austingirl]

...federal benchmarks on physical activity.

Yes, I remember seeing that in the Constitution. One of the enumerated powers/sarc

[dervish]

I fostered a hyper dog for six months. I walked her five miles a day almost every day. She wore a backpack filled with two liter water bottles. At the same time it calmed her down and bonded us enough for me to train her. It calmed me down too.

[DollyCali]

goldens really benefit for long free runs. I have a golden & german shep & both need daily big outings to be calm & happy.

[Silentgypsy]

Dogs are good for your health and safety—I’m still here because of notable canine presences in my home. No exaggeration.