Are dogs better exercise companions than humans?

Interesting thought: Exercise with your dog. One recent college study finds that dogs do a better job than people of getting older adults out for exercise.

The University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine Research Center for Human animal Interaction recently compared a group of adults matched with shelter dogs to a group partnered with a human walk buddy. After 12 weeks of walking on an outdoor trail for one hour, five times a week, researchers measured how the activity levels were improved for the participants.

It was reported that people paired with dogs improve their walking capabilities by 28 percent. The outcomes were especially good for the older adults. Older adults also demonstrated more confidence while walking trails and showed an increase in their speed. The other group walking with humans only had a four percent increase in their walking capabilities. This later group tended to be discouraging to each other, using excuses frequently, and saw inclement weather as an obstacle (i.e. “It’s too hot to go out!”).

After all, dogs just want to go along the road, eager to enjoy the exercise and all the great excitement. They are so happy to be out and about and want to keep moving. You won’t hear them complaining. Dogs really can be a very motivating trainer. We can learn from our pets how to enjoy these moments and get some exercise at the same time. Quite the win/win situation!

Source: futurepundit.com