Comparative Exercise Physiology, 2015; 11 (1): 55-63 Wageningen Academic Publisher s ISSN 1755-2540 print, ISSN 1755-2559 online, DOI 10.3920/CEP140020 55 1. Background According to the American College of Sports Medicine guidelines, healthy adults should attain 150 min of moderate intensity physical activity per week for general health benefits (Garber et al., 2011). Walking is an excellent way to meet these guidelines as it is inexpensive, has a low risk of injury and is accessible to many people. Yet, nearly 40% of people report no regular walking (CDC, 2012). Interest in dog walking as a way to promote physical activity has grown since research demonstrated that dog owners report more physical activity compared to non-dog owners (Brown and Rhodes, 2006; Christian et al., 2012; Oha and Shibata, 2009) and are more likely to achieve the weekly 150 min of moderate intensity physical activity goal independent of demographic, interpersonal and environmental factors (Christian et al. , 2010; Cutt et al. , 2008c; Hoerster et al. , 2010; Reeves et al. , 2011). Furthermore, research suggests that dog walking provides health benefits to dog owners, including reduced risk of diabetes, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia and depression (Lentino et al., 2012). Dogs may also benefit from dog walking. While evidence- based physical activity guidelines do not exist for dogs, daily walking is recommended to prevent disease and behavioural issues (American Veterinary Medical Association, 2010; Bland et al., 2009; German, 2006). Similar to humans, physical inactivity in dogs is associated with dog obesity (Bland et al., 2009), and obesity increases their risk for heart disease, metabolic dysfunction, osteoarthritis and Barriers and facilitators to dog walking in New England K. Schneider 1* , P. Guggina 2 , D. Murphy 3 , C.M. Ferrara 3 , E. Panza 4 , J. Oleski 5 , B. Bozzella 3 , K. Gada 3 , C. Savage 6 and S.C. Lemon 5 1 Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, 3333 Green Bay Road, North Chicago, IL 60064, USA; 2 University of Massachusetts Medical Center, 55 North Lake Avenue, Worcester, MA 01655, USA; 3 University of Massachusetts Lowell, Department of Physical Therapy, 3 Solomont Way, Ste 5, Lowell, MA 01854, USA; 4 Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, Department of Psychology, New Brunswick, NJ 08854, USA; 5 University of Massachusetts Medical School, 55 North Lake Avenue, Worcester, MA 01655, USA; 6 Common Pathways, 54 Elm Street, Worcester, MA 01609, USA; kristin.schneider@rosalindfranklin.edu Received: 25 September 2014 / Accepted: 24 December 2014 RESEARCH ARTICLE © 2015 Wageningen Academic Publishers Abstract Dog walking may increase physical activity among dogs and their owners. Understanding barriers and facilitators to walking the dog is critical to developing interventions to increase dog walking. This study aimed to confirm previously identified barriers and facilitators of dog walking, and to identify unique factors that may be relevant to dog walking in cities with variable weather. This mixed methods study used focus groups to identify barriers and facilitators associated with dog walking and a survey to examine which factors were associated with dog walking. Focus group participants described barriers, such as lack of time, weather, lack of places to walk and the dog’s bad behaviour. Facilitators included enjoyment, dog walking norms (defined as the participant’s perception of how much the veterinarian, other dog owners, and their family think they should walk the dog), and socialisation opportunities. A hierarchical regression analysis of survey data revealed that the participant’s perception of dog walking norms was associated with increased frequency and duration of dog walking, while weather, work and family commitment barriers were associated with a reduced frequency and duration of dog walking. Family, community and veterinarian dog walking norms, inclement weather, and lack of time due to work obligations emerged as important correlates of dog walking. Interventions that aim to increase physical activity by encouraging dog walking may benefit from incorporating strategies that address facilitators (family support) and barriers (time and weather) to walking the dog. Keywords: physical activity, exercise, mixed methods http://www.wageningenacademic.com/doi/pdf/10.3920/CEP140020 - Tuesday, April 17, 2018 4:47:17 PM - Utrecht University IP Address:131.211.208.19