title: Correlates of objectively measured physical activity in dogs.
abstract: To increase physical activity (PA) levels in dogs and to better evaluate their energy requirements, there is a need to understand which factors or correlates are associated with PA and/or sedentary behaviour. Improving our understanding of these correlates also has implications for prescribed energy requirements in dogs. PA was measured using accelerometry in 62 dogs from two common breeds (Labrador retrievers and Cocker spaniels). Five potential correlates (age, sex, breed, neuter status, body condition score) were tested for associations with total volume of PA, light-moderate intensity PA, vigorous intensity PA and sedentary behaviour. Age and breed were associated with total volume of PA, light-moderate intensity PA and sedentary behaviour in the final models. Age was associated with vigorous intensity PA. The final models explained 60%, 40%, 63% and 44% of variance in total volume of PA, light-moderate intensity PA, vigorous intensity PA and sedentary behaviour, respectively. These results should improve understanding of the variation in energy requirements of dogs, as well as the development of age and breed-specific diets and the prevention and treatment of canine obesity.
authors.affiliation: School of Veterinary Medicine, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, 464 Bearsden Road, Glasgow G61 1QH, UK. Electronic address: r.morrison.2@research.gla.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Ryan
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Morrison
authors.affiliation: School of Life Sciences, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, 346 West Medical Building, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK.
authors.forename: Victoria
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Penpraze
authors.affiliation: School of Veterinary Medicine, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, 464 Bearsden Road, Glasgow G61 1QH, UK.
authors.forename: Ruth
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Greening
authors.affiliation: School of Veterinary Medicine, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, 464 Bearsden Road, Glasgow G61 1QH, UK.
authors.forename: Tom
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Underwood
authors.affiliation: Physical Activity for Health Group, School of Psychological Sciences and Health, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Graham Hills Building, 40 George Street, Glasgow G1 1QE, UK.
authors.forename: John J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Reilly
authors.affiliation: School of Veterinary Medicine, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, 464 Bearsden Road, Glasgow G61 1QH, UK.
authors.forename: Philippa S
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Yam
mesh_terms: D061725:Accelerometry / Q000662:veterinary; D000367:Age Factors; D000818:Animals; D004285:Dogs / Q000502:physiology*; D004734:Energy Metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D005082:Physical Exertion / Q000502:physiology*; D013045:Species Specificity
keywords: Accelerometry; Canine; Nutrition; Obesity; Physical activity