In an intriguing way of ensuring truck drivers across Australia remain fit and active after spending long hours behind the wheel, a new study is suggesting that purpose-built exercise equipment at truck stops could see an uptake in driver health.
The solution is part of the University of South Australia’s first meta-analysis of how health behaviour interventions can impact truck drivers.
Researchers have found that tailored, multi-level approaches to truck driver health, such as installing purpose-built exercise equipment across Australian truck stops, could be the solution to fixing current interventions that currently aren’t working.
The analysis reviewed the effectiveness of current health interventions for more than 2,000 truck drivers across 19 studies, with the health solutions with the most promise being programs promoting physical activity or eating more fruit and vegetables.
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On the contrary, other initiatives such as goal setting, lifestyle counselling, motivational interviewing and health-behaviour education all had little effect on drivers’ health.
Despite being such an important sector to Australia’s overall economy and society, the study says truck drivers have one of the highest rates of chronic diseases, obesity and occupational injuries, with almost a third of drivers having three or more diagnosed medical conditions (four times greater than the average person).
On top of this, more than half of truck drivers are obese, and one in five drivers under 35 report severe levels of psychological distress.
UniSA’s Dr Rosa Virgara says there’s a “critical need” to better support the health and wellbeing of truck drivers.
“Truck drivers are the beating heart of Australia’s economy. They drive thousands of kilometres every day to ensure the safe delivery of everything we use in daily life, but when it comes to their own health and wellbeing, there’s a lot lacking,” Dr Virgara says.
“Whether it’s long hours, shiftwork, poor diet or inactivity, the health risks associated with the truck driver occupation are significant and varied.
“As a result, truck drivers have some of the highest rates of poor physical activity and other chronic diseases including cardiovascular disease, high BMI/obesity, depression and back pain which impacts their ability to lead healthy lives.”
Furthermore, evidence suggests that drivers with multiple health issues have higher rates of accidents.
“Given the importance of the industry, it’s vital that we prioritise the development of practical and scalable healthy lifestyle interventions that can support health and well-being of truck drivers. And importantly, we must involve truck drivers themselves in this process,” Virgara says.
As the transport industry increasingly recognises the importance of addressing driver health, researchers hope to develop and implement sustainable and effective interventions that address the unique challenges facing truck drivers.
“Strategies such as providing balanced and healthy subsidised lunches to truck drivers, as well as creating and upkeeping places for exercise during a rest break, could be a starting point in integrating health interventions into their working lives,” Virgara says.
“Ultimately, the drivers know their needs best, and any future research should work with the transport sector, consulting with trucking companies, communities, government agencies and the drivers themselves to help improve the lives of those working in such a valuable profession.”
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