Effects of dog ownership and exercise self-efficacy on physical activity of Japanese office workers during the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract Although dog ownership and exercise self-efficacy have proven effective at promoting physical activity, their effects in restrictive environments, such as during the COVID-19 pandemic, remain unclear. A web-based questionnaire was administered to healthy Japanese office workers between August and November 2023. Basic characteristics, physical activity level, dog ownership, and exercise self-efficacy were obtained using the recall method at three time points: before, during, and after the COVID-19 pandemic. Dog-walking activity and self-efficacy, and dog-related obligations were assessed among dog owners. A two-way repeated measures analysis of covariance was conducted to examine the effects of time and dog ownership on physical activity. A mediation analysis was conducted to confirm the mediating effect of exercise self-efficacy. A total of 414 responses were analyzed. Physical activity levels changed across the three time points (p < 0.001) and the pattern of change differed depending on dog ownership (p = 0.043). A full mediation effect of exercise self-efficacy was observed before the pandemic (p < 0.001). Among dog owners, dog-walking activity was influenced by dog walking self-efficacy at the three time points (before: β = 0.418, p < 0.001; during: β = 0.401, p = 0.001; after: β = 0.373, p = 0.001). Dog ownership appeared to buffer pandemic-related declines in physical activity, facilitated by exercise self-efficacy; this supported a rapid recovery in physical activity. These findings highlight the importance of structured caregiving routines, such as dog walking, as a resilient strategy for maintaining physical activity in restrictive environments.