Installing exercise equipment at truck stops across Australia could be just the thing to encourage truckies to take a break and take control of their health and wellbeing.
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Researchers at the University of South Australia conducted a meta-analysis on how health behaviour interventions can affect truck drivers, discovering that tailored, multi-level and innovative approaches are required to enact positive change, as current interventions are not working.
After reviewing the effectiveness of health interventions for more than 2000 truckies across 19 studies, researchers found that the only promising health interventions were programs promoting physical activity or eating more fruit and vegetables.
All other existing initiatives such as goal setting, lifestyle counselling, motivational interviewing, and health-behaviour education and training, had little effect on truck drivers’ health.
UniSA’s Dr Rosa Virgara says there is a critical need to better support truck drivers’ health and wellbeing.
“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,” she 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.”
Virgara says along with this, there are wider safety implications associated with truck driver health, as evidence demonstrates 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.”
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,” she 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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