Recent research from The Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing (TILDA) at Trinity College Dublin has revealed the significant benefits of regular dog walking for older adults. The study is published in the Journals of Gerontology.
Researchers have found that regular dog walking, defined as at least four times per week, is associated with improved mobility, reduced fear of falling, and a lower likelihood of unexplained falls.
Up to now, little research has looked at the suggestion that dog walking may protect against falls and mobility problems later in life. This study aimed to assess if regular dog walking was associated with reduced likelihood of falls, fear of falling and mobility problems in a large cohort of community-dwelling older people.
Falls are the most frequent reason older people are admitted to hospital and the most common cause of accidental death in later life. Falls are strongly associated with fractures, including hip fractures, subsequent loss of independence, increased healthcare use, admission to nursing homes, and earlier mortality.
TILDA data shows that around 30 per cent of people in Ireland aged 70+ fall annually, and one-in-eight present to an emergency department with a fall each year. With increased longevity, the number of older people presenting with falls will increase considerably over coming decades. It is imperative then that we identify strategies that reduce the risk of falls and which can be employed at a population level.
Key findings include:
- Improved mobility: Regular dog walkers completed the Timed-Up-and-Go (TUG) test significantly faster than non-dog walkers (10.3 seconds vs 11.7 seconds on average). The TUG is a sensitive and specific measure of probability for falls among older adults.
- Reduced falls: Regular dog walkers were 40 per cent less likely to experience unexplained falls.
- Lower fear of falling: Participants who walked their dogs regularly were 20 per cent less likely to report fear of falling, a known factor in mobility avoidance and diminished quality of life.
The study emphasises the potential role of dog walking in promoting physical activity and social interaction, both of which are critical for maintaining independence in later life. Importantly, while physical activity levels between dog walkers and non-walkers were broadly similar, the specific activity of walking a dog appears to confer unique benefits.
The study also highlights the importance of promoting activities that are both enjoyable and health-enhancing as we age.
Prof Robert Briggs, Consultant Geriatrician, St James’s Hospital and Trinity College Dublin, and co-author, said: “This study demonstrates the potential benefits that regular dog walking can confer on older people. Regular dog walkers had significantly better mobility, reduced likelihood of falls, and were less likely to develop fear of falling. While this may be partly due to increased physical activity, it is also likely that increased social interaction, companionship and purpose derived from having a dog also plays an important role. We see how important pets are in the lives of older people we encounter both in St James’s Hospital and the TILDA study and it is therefore heartening to see the benefits borne out in this study.”
