Three Things to Know
Researchers conducted a pilot study on a joint outdoor exercise program for dog owners and their dogs, assessing its impact on quality of life (QoL), behavior, feeding routines, and physical activity.
The intervention significantly boosted physical activity levels in all dog owners; participants met the WHO’s recommended 150 minutes per week of activity. Owners also experienced psychological benefits, including greater self-acceptance of their bodies and increased motivation to exercise with their dogs.
The dogs’ Body Condition Scores (BCS) improved significantly, with post-intervention scores falling within the ideal range. Interestingly, even dogs that were not overweight at baseline appeared to benefit physically, supporting the idea that regular exercise promotes health regardless of a dog’s starting weight.
For Dog Welfare Practitioners
Previous research indicates that dogs can help older adults prevent disability and dementia. This pilot study reinforces findings from previous research, demonstrating the mutual benefits humans and canines can gain from participating in shared outdoor exercise programs. To foster stronger connections within their adopter base and the wider community, dog welfare organizations could host joint exercise initiatives, group dog walks, and other community-based educational programs. These efforts would not only cultivate more responsible pet ownership but also contribute to building more equitable cities for both people and their animal companions.
The Full Picture
Despite longstanding evidence of the benefits of physical activity, a large portion of the global population — and many companion dogs — remain insufficiently active, contributing to obesity and related health problems. This study, titled “A pilot study of a joint outdoor exercise program for dog owners and dogs”, evaluates a Swedish initiative that promotes joint physical activity between dogs and owners, assessing its impact on self-reported physical activity, quality of life, and body measurements in both groups.
Study Methods
This pilot study evaluated the effects of an eight-week joint outdoor exercise program for dog owners and their dogs in Sweden. Dog owners (aged ≥18, in suitable physical and mental health) and their dogs (aged ≥1 year, healthy and non-aggressive) voluntarily enrolled through online platforms. The program involved jogging and circuit training sessions tailored to different fitness levels, with participants selecting distances from 2 to 10 km. Jogging occurred two to three times weekly, and circuit training once a week.
Before and after the intervention, both dog owners and dogs underwent physical measurements and completed questionnaires assessing quality of life (QoL), behavior, feeding routines, and physical activity. Owners reported their own and their dog’s QoL using adapted WHOQOL-BREF and C-BARQ-based tools, respectively.
Study Results
A total of 22 completed the eight-week joint outdoor exercise program. Most participants were middle-aged (mean age 45), and dogs varied by breed and age (mean age 5 years). Participants selected jogging distances from 2 to 10 km.
Despite the short duration, the intervention boosted physical activity levels in all dog owners, with participants meeting WHO’s recommended 150 minutes / week of activity and reporting reduced sedentary time. Though owners did not show changes in body measurements (BMI), waist-hip ratio, or blood pressure — likely because of the brief intervention period and their baseline health status — they still experienced psychological benefits. Owners reported greater self-acceptance of their bodies and increased motivation to exercise with their dogs, especially those who chose the shorter 2 km jogging distance.
Dogs did not show significant behavioral changes or improvements in owner-assessed QoL, but owners perceived slight gains in vitality and cardio fitness. The dogs’ Body Condition Scores (BCS) improved significantly, with post-intervention scores falling within the ideal range and no dogs categorized as underweight or overweight. Notably, even dogs that were not overweight at baseline appeared to benefit physically, supporting the idea that regular exercise may promote health regardless of starting weight.
A key strength of the study was the increase in owner motivation for continued joint exercise, possibly driven by the human-animal bond and mutual positive experiences. This suggests potential for long-term lifestyle changes and broader health benefits. The outdoor nature of the program may have also contributed to increased motivation, as outdoor activity is linked to better mental wellbeing and greater adherence to exercise routines.
Conclusion
This pilot study demonstrated that an eight-week joint outdoor exercise program for dog owners and their dogs led to significant improvements in owner-reported quality of life (QoL), increased motivation for joint exercise, and enhanced self-acceptance of bodily appearance in owners. In dogs, the program resulted in a significant reduction in body condition score (BCS), suggesting improved physical fitness even without dietary changes.
A shared exercise routine of moderate intensity, even at a short distance, can yield measurable physical and psychological benefits for both dog owners and their dogs. This approach offers a promising, scalable strategy to promote physical activity and wellbeing, underlining the potential of One Health-based interventions that engage both humans and animals.
Miscellaneous
Data From Study:
Owned Dogs > What Dogs Bring > Benefits to Adults
Year of Publication:
2024
External Link:
Smedberg, K., Lundbeck, E., Roman, E. et al. A pilot study of a joint outdoor exercise program for dog owners and dogs. Sci Rep 14, 14321 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-65033-0