Fido Provides Health Benefits

Loyal, faithful companionship is just two things you receive from your dog. It turns out that your furry fun filled companion also provides you the physical activity you require. The study has revealed that people who own and walk their dogs have a 34% more chance of meeting the federal standards on physical activity.

Dr. Matthew Reeves, PhD, epidemiologist at MSU states the findings had revealed that advocating dog ownership and dog walking may just aide many Americans meet the federal standards on physical activity. Currently only half of Americans meet the levels of leisure time physical activity.

Dr. Reeves, notes that walking our faithful companion is the most readily form of physical activity for people.

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

For the study information from the Michigan Behavioral Risk Factor Survey, a yearly health survey administered by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Michigan Department of Public Health had been used. Researchers had discovered that besides the impact of the amount of walking and owning a dog provides it also shows dog walkers to be more active overall.

The study had revealed that people who usually walk their dogs in general receive an hour longer of leisure and physical activity in comparison to those dog owners who did not take the dog for walks.

It is acknowledged that those who walk their dogs walk more but it was also discovered that those who did walk their dogs had a higher overall levels of both moderate and vigorous physical activity. There seems to be a strong association to owning and walking a dog to obtaining higher rates of physical activity even after taking into account the actual dog walking.

The study examined the amount of leisure time physical activity a person receives such as playing sports, exercising and recreational activities such as gardening and dancing. Public health standards are set at least 150 minutes a week of these types of activities.

Dr. Reeves states the studies findings advocate public health campaigns which advocate responsible dog ownership along with advocating walking the dog just may represent a logical opportunity to increase physical activity.

There are numerous health benefits to walking your companion. One of the first benefits comes from Fido himself. It does not matter if it is snowing, raining or a bright sunny day. He will be there nudging away at you to get up and go for walk around the same time each day usually. He will make sure you don't miss your regular activity of walking. Not only does it get you up and out and walking he also provides that energy boost heightening those energy levels. You eventually end up walking faster and with more enthusiasm. Not only are you able to burn off those extra calories but you will be improving your overall fitness level as well. Just by taking that simple walk you forget about your worries and the stress you had faced that day.

Dog walking is not only inexpensive it gives a most enjoyable way to boost not only your fitness levels but his as well. It does give you the same benefits as walking like cardiovascular development, strengthening bones and muscles, lowering your blood pressure and stress levels and lots more.

There is also that social benefit too. It is believed that people who walk their dogs are generally more friendly and approachable to others. You could make new friends which will also give you more health benefits. Take the dog for walk and see just how physically fit you and him can become.

Sources:

Medical News Today

I Love India