ABSTRACT

Physical activity and its influence on wellbeing are evident. It is an open question if the recommended activity levels can be reached by middle-aged and older (45+ years) horseback riders. Therefore the aim of the study was to assess physical activity (horseback riding) in horseback riders in comparison with dog owners (dog walking) and people without pets (non-animal-related activities) and its relation to physical, mental, and social wellbeing. The FAHW12- (self-assessment for habitual wellbeing of Wydra) and a self-designed questionnaire were used to determine overall wellbeing and its component dimensions. The study was carried out in Austria. Overall 178 people aged 45+ years answered a questionnaire about physical activity and wellbeing within the physical, mental, and social wellbeing domains. Comparisons were made using a general linear model, with activity group (riders, dog owners, controls) as the main variable of interest. Physical activity levels were not significantly different between riders (107.4±62.0 metabolic equivalent-hours per week; MET-h/week) and dog owners (137.4±116.7 MET-h/week), but were significantly higher compared with controls (without pets) (21.6±19.9 MET-h/week). Overall wellbeing scores of riders were not significantly higher compared with dog owners (15.5±0.8 vs. 13.3±0.9; p = 0.071), but statistically significantly higher compared with controls (11.6±0.9; p = 0.002). The physical wellbeing of riders was significantly higher (1.5 times, p = 0.024) compared with dog owners, and 1.7 times higher compared with controls (p = 0.006). Mental wellbeing scores of riders were significantly higher compared with controls but not compared with dog owners. Horseback riding is a means to reach recommended physical activity levels. This activity is associated with greater physical and mental wellbeing, when compared with non-pet owning people, and is similar to that seen in dog owners.

摘要

身体活动及其对健康的影响是显而易见的。中年和老年（45 岁以上）骑马者是否可以达到推荐的活动水平，这是一个悬而未决的问题。因此，本研究的目的是评估骑马者的身体活动（骑马）与养狗者（遛狗）和不养宠物的人（与动物无关的活动）及其与身体、心理和社会福祉的关系. FAHW12-（Wydra 习惯性幸福感的自我评估）和自行设计的问卷用于确定整体幸福感及其组成维度。该研究是在奥地利进行的。总共有 178 名 45 岁以上的人回答了一份关于身体、心理和社会福祉领域的体育活动和福祉的问卷。使用一般线性模型进行比较，活动组（骑手、狗主人、对照）作为主要感兴趣的变量。骑手（每周 107.4±62.0 代谢当量小时；MET-h/周）和养狗者（137.4±116.7 MET-h/周）之间的身体活动水平没有显着差异，但与对照组（没有宠物）相比显着更高) (21.6±19.9 MET-h/周)。与养狗者相比，骑手的整体幸福感得分并没有显着提高（15.5±0.8 vs. 13.3±0.9；6±19.9 MET-h/周）。与养狗者相比，骑手的整体幸福感得分并没有显着提高（15.5±0.8 vs. 13.3±0.9；6±19.9 MET-h/周）。与养狗者相比，骑手的整体幸福感得分并没有显着提高（15.5±0.8 vs. 13.3±0.9；p  = 0.071），但与对照组相比在统计学上显着更高（11.6±0.9；p  = 0.002）。与养狗者相比，骑手的身体健康显着更高（1.5 倍，p  = 0.024），与对照组相比高 1.7 倍（p  = 0.006）。与对照组相比，骑手的心理健康得分显着更高，但与狗主人相比则不然。骑马是达到推荐的体力活动水平的一种方式。与不养宠物的人相比，这种活动与更大的身心健康有关，并且与养狗的人相似。