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BMC public health2019; 19(1); 1672; doi: 10.1186/s12889-019-7962-z

Does having a pet influence the physical activity of their young female owners?

Abstract: Many studies have shown that having a dog has an impact on the increase in physical activity (PA) of people. However, what is often not taken into account in many such studies is owning of other pets. The aim of this study was to compare PA levels between animal owners and non-owners and to research potential differences between owners of different kinds of animals. Methods: 111 young females of mean age 21 ± 1.2 years enrolled in this cross-sectional study. Czech version of short International physical activity questionnaire (IPAQ) was used to assess PA level, supplemented with a question about whether they owned an animal and what kind. Results: People who owned a pet had higher frequency and duration of moderate physical activity (MPA) and spent more MET/min/wk. (p < 0.05). This difference has projected into total PA duration and also into calories burned in a week. Furthermore, a statistically significant difference between subgroups of animal owners was also confirmed for MPA and total PA in favour of horse owners. Conclusions: Animal owners generally reported higher PA levels compared to people who do not own any pets. However, similarly significant in this particular age group was the kind of animal these young women owned.
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Publication Date: 2019-12-12 PubMed ID: 31830957PubMed Central: PMC6909525DOI: 10.1186/s12889-019-7962-zGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This research investigates the impact of pet ownership on the physical activity levels of young women. The study found that, on average, pet owners display higher levels of physical activity and burn more calories per week than those who do not own pets, with horse owners demonstrating particularly significant physical activity levels.

Introduction and Methodology

The study was conducted on a group of 111 young women, with an average age of approximately 21 years. The primary objective was to explore possible differences in physical activity levels between young women who owned a pet and those who didn’t. It also aimed to investigate potential variations among owners of different kinds of animals. A short version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), adapted to Czech, was employed to assess the physical activity level of the participants. In addition, the participants were asked if they owned a pet and what type of pet it was.

Results and Findings

  • The study revealed that pet owners generally had higher frequency and length of moderate physical activity (MPA).
  • These pet-owners also expended more Metabolic Equivalent of Task (MET) minutes per week, an indicator of energy expenditure, signifying more calorie burn.
  • This increased physical activity of pet-owners translated into longer total duration of physical activity and more calories burned per week.
  • The study further discovered a statistically significant difference among subsets of pet owners. Owners of horses reported higher MPA and total physical activity.
  • These findings suggest that not only does the presence of a pet result in increased physical activity among young women, but also the type of pet has an influence. Particularly, owning a horse seems to promote higher levels of activity.

Conclusions

The research concluded that young women who had pets generally reported higher physical activity levels than those who didn’t own any pets. This difference was notably pronounced in the case of horse owners. As such, the kind of animal owned was a determining factor in their respective levels of physical activity. This emphasizes the role of pet ownership, specifically horse ownership, in encouraging physical activity and sustaining a healthier lifestyle among young women.

Cite This Article

APA
Machová K, Daďová K, Chaloupková H, Svobodová I. (2019). Does having a pet influence the physical activity of their young female owners? BMC Public Health, 19(1), 1672. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-019-7962-z

Publication

BMC public health
ISSN: 1471-2458
NlmUniqueID: 100968562
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 19
Issue: 1
Pages: 1672
PII: 1672

Researcher Affiliations

Machová, Kristýna
  • Department of Ethology and Companion Animals, Czech University of Life Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic.
Daďová, Klára
  • Department of Adapted Physical Education and Sports Medicine, Faculty of Physical Education and Sport, Charles University, J. Martího 31, 162 52, Prague, Czech Republic. dadova.klara@gmail.com.
Chaloupková, Helena
  • Department of Ethology and Companion Animals, Czech University of Life Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic.
Svobodová, Ivona
  • Department of Ethology and Companion Animals, Czech University of Life Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Dogs
  • Exercise
  • Female
  • Horses
  • Humans
  • Ownership / statistics & numerical data
  • Pets
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Young Adult

Grant Funding

  • Progress Q41 / Univerzita Karlova v Praze

Conflict of Interest Statement

This manuscript has not been previously submitted or published and is not under consideration in any other peer-reviewed media. To the best of our knowledge, no conflict of interest, financial or other, exists.

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Citations

This article has been cited 11 times.
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