TruckingIndustry.news

Health Becoming Bigger Priority For Today's Truckers

by Jana Ritter - Published: 1/18/2017

Truck driving is already a dangerous job and a recent study has found that truckers with three or more medical conditions are up to four times more likely to be in a crash than those in good health. And while long hours on the road certainly make it more challenging to maintain a healthy routine, the industry is stepping up with more wellness programs and some dedicated drivers are creating their own fitness regimes right from their rigs.

                                                                 truck driver fitness

In other news
January 05, 2018 - Trucker Faces 20 Years After Pleading Guilty To Smuggling Alien Found Dead In Locked Toolbox
January 02, 2018 - Police Identify 2 Oregon Truck Drivers Killed In Fiery Head-On Crash
December 27, 2017 - Iowa First Of Eight States To Debut New Truck Parking Information System

                                                                 (Truck driver Rodney McCloud, recent winner of Prime's Fittest of the Fleet competition)

The University of Utah School of Medicine recently conducted a study examining the correlation between truck drivers’ health and their involvement in crashes. After comparing drivers’ medical records and crash histories, they found that drivers with at least three health conditions were more likely to have been involved in crashes that could have been avoided. They also found the average crash rate resulting in injury among all truck drivers was 29 crashes per 100 million miles traveled and that number increased to 93 crashes per 100 million miles traveled for drivers with three or more ailments. The investigators said these numbers held true even after considering other factors such as age and amount of commercial driving experience. The findings also revealed that one health condition such as diabetes is manageable but diabetes combined with high blood pressure and anxiety can significantly increase a driver’s risk. It was also found that of the medical records of 49,464 commercial truck drivers, 34 percent had signs of at least one of several medical conditions (such as heart disease, low back pain, and diabetes) that have previously been linked to poor driving performance. In 2014, another survey conducted by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health survey found that 69 percent of long-haul truck drivers were obese, which drastically increases the risk for several conditions including heart disease, diabetes, stroke and fatigue.

                                                                   truck driver health

                                                                (More truck drivers are finding ways to stay in shape from anywhere on the road)

Of course everyone knows that sitting for long hours behind the wheel, irregular sleeping patterns, and eating on the road are prime factors that would challenge anyone to maintain good health and rather than blaming truck drivers, several initiatives have been put in place to help them. Many companies now offer wellness programs for their employees, truck stop chains across the US are installing gyms, restaurants are offering healthier menu choices and in-cab workout systems are now available on the market as well. But truck driver, Rodney McCloud, recent winner of Prime's Fittest of the Fleet competition, says that anyone can get in shape from anywhere and it's a matter of being committed and creative. The 46-year-old weighs 222 pounds, has a 33-inch waist and 18 1/2-inch biceps from a regular workout routine that can be done anywhere he parks his rig. In addition to using the weight set he carries in his truck, McCloud's workout includes forearm slams against the side of his trailer, knee kicks to the tires, and prone pull-ups and dips on the side of his rig. "Since I started driving in 2008, I've seen only one or two other truckers working out in the lot like I do. People look at you funny, but I don't care. I work out in all kinds of weather, and when I'm waiting around at a shipper, I shadowbox, skip rope, or do pushups. You make it happen when you can," says McCloud.


Barry Boudreaux
Barry Boudreaux
I make a point to park as far from store as possible at truck stops. Usually 2-3 minute walk to store, usually 10-15 walk back cause I loose my truck in lot...😳😱🤔
David Ferriman
David Ferriman
I do cardio and yoga behind my trailer , always park as far away from the food and store as I can so I have to work for it.
Jose Oyervides
Jose Oyervides
Yes I'm a truck drive if i see that I'm going to wait for a load i just start lifting dumbells for about 30 minutes
Kate Campbell
Kate Campbell
Get fruit and veggies from the store. Trk stops offer very little.
Mike Barnes
Mike Barnes
Younger generation. Old days we did 6 pack curls
David L. Adams
David L. Adams
An a couple of lizared rides
Kowalski Joiner
Kowalski Joiner
How in the HELL is he able to do push-ups in the truck stop parking lot it reeks of urine so damn bad. It's no way in hell
Steve Andrzejewski
Steve Andrzejewski
Gloves man, thick gloves👍🏻
Victor Collins
Victor Collins
Have you ever figured that part of that smell isn't coming from the humans, but the trucks instead? After all what does DEF smell like, and where does it come from?
Israel Swanner
Israel Swanner
But Victor, the VAST MAJORITY of the smell comes from the human urine covering the lot.
Victor Collins
Victor Collins
I don't think so, being I have been around trucking all my life, and drivers could and did piss anywhere one needed to, and it wasn't ever like it is now. So please explain how you figure most of it from the humans?
Alan Reaves
Alan Reaves
Def smells like Ammonia not human piss. So you are saying people are pouring their $2.50 gal Def out on the parking lots? I've been around trucking all my life and it wasn't as bad as before due to the fact there were fewer trucks and drivers to add to the problem and most truck stop parking lots were gravel so the the human waste was absorbed into the ground unlike today's paved parking lots were it stays there cooking in the sun until the next rain storm hopefully will wash the stench away :(
Juan Aguirre
Juan Aguirre
That may be true... U can always take walks around the truck stops.. I do... Sometimes is tough but better than nothing...be well.
Joe Kelly
Joe Kelly
I was about to say push ups in piss no thanks. I carry two 25 pound dumb bells I work with and try to walk a decent pace 30 min a day. Just that little bit helps me.
Georgia Baker
Georgia Baker
Do you see how clean the parking lot is? It was probably a prop for this picture, not a real truck stop and he's probably just a model, not a real trucker. 😂 😂 😂
Shawn Mobley
Shawn Mobley
The lot smelled like that long, long before DEF...
Matt Strickland
Matt Strickland
Victor shits in the parking lot.
Thomas Hasty
Thomas Hasty
I stopped drinking sodas completely and eating while the truck is in motion. Cut way back on the amount of sugar I was eating at night. I have lost 30lbs in 6months.
Charles Hinchcliff
Charles Hinchcliff
Where do these drivers come from? Exercise, drop and hook, gps, email, paperless logs, automatic transmission, only 300 miles a day, no night driving, what a great job they have.
Barry Boudreaux
Barry Boudreaux
I'm 64 years old, been driving for 8 years, retired oil field. I'm usually off weekends and I've wogged ( walk/jogg ) in 5ks. So yes staying in shape can be done if you're serious about it.
Dar Delorme
Dar Delorme
I stretch every 250 mile an walk around for 15 min. Or at least I try most of the time. An park so I have to walk a lot when at truck stops.
Cheryl Rooymans
Cheryl Rooymans
I am not a truck driver but I am a daughter of one! I respect all you drivers out there! I have a great health and wellness company and we have a great nutrition line and even products that are great to help you sleep and for sore muscles, all the products are natural!! Company is called Arbonne you can check out my website cherylrooymans.arbonne.com or email me at rooymans79@gmail.com Stay safe out there and keep on trucking!
PJ Heinz
PJ Heinz
Buy a yoga mat and do push-ups and sit-ups on it. Walk or jog while you're waiting at delivery or pickup points. Stay away from truck stop fast food joints. You'll be amazed at the difference!
Eddie Elliott
Eddie Elliott
Ain't It Strange when you see a 500 pound guy fill up a two liter mug of Mountain Dew...and struggles to walk out of the Love's truck stop I just shake my head😱
Jason Bishop
Jason Bishop
In 2012 I lost 50lbs just by walking. I changed my diet a little bit by eating more fiber than junk. Carrots became my junk food.
David L. Adams
David L. Adams
Sure don't kiss the pee, I flatbed get a workout ever time I load an unload, run 600-700 miles a day don't have time for that
Bruce Kallenbach
Bruce Kallenbach
I know when I pulled into a truckstop to park, i always went towards the back lot so I could get more walking excersise in!
Jeff Harker
Jeff Harker
Ya get outta trucking before it ruins your health period
Kim Kirby
Kim Kirby
My husband carries kettle bells, does western martial arts and eastern martial arts workouts almost every day and he's 69 years young.
Kelly Statley
Kelly Statley
Push-ups in a outdoor urinal....this driver is going to come down sick with AIDS, and or other diseases....how stupid.....
Xob Xastuvvawm
Xob Xastuvvawm
All I did was polishing good enough. And have have something to show for lol
Matthew Morgan
Matthew Morgan
Great idea. Get your head run over and squashed like a melon.
James Murray
James Murray
Must like smelling pee
Victor Collins
Victor Collins
Have you ever figured that part of that smell isn't coming from the humans, but the trucks instead? After all what does DEF smell like, and where does it come from?
Alan Reaves
Alan Reaves
Def smells like Ammonia not human piss SMFH
Willie Tonka
Willie Tonka
Become a flatbed trucker! Securing and tapping freight is a hell of a workout!
Beth Howells
Beth Howells
get back to UNloading trailers no lumpers tons get back in shape
Pamela Kuehner-riekeberg
Pamela Kuehner-riekeberg
Don't eat processed meat. Doctor said that's probably why I got Colin cancer
Jermaine Stanley
Jermaine Stanley
I'm a truck driver and wellness coach wanna get advice free free to inbox me
Kristina M Heise
Kristina M Heise
Cut the carbs and salt intake... Eat fruits and veggies instead of chips and candy...
Patrick X. John
Patrick X. John
Always have a bottle of aspirin. Take one every few days to prevent blood clots.
Robert W. Day II
Robert W. Day II
Get fat and die young
Bradley Morehouse
Bradley Morehouse
Yes. Find another job.
Jimi Uphoff
Jimi Uphoff
Stop hanging off the front of the truck
Rodney Hoskinson
Rodney Hoskinson
Bull shit
Rob Majewski
Rob Majewski
Why not exercise on a truck stop toilet? Same thing.
John Robbins
John Robbins
Wouldn't put my face that close to a truck stop parking lot
Bruce M Balistreri
Bruce M Balistreri
I used to do that ok!!
Brian Warren
Brian Warren
Stop eating the pilot hot dogs
Burlin Herron
Burlin Herron
What sexy looks like
David L. Adams
David L. Adams

Douglas Coulthard
Douglas Coulthard
Don't become a driver...
Donald Hall
Donald Hall
Is that you Deano
Lee Wade
Lee Wade
Stop making excuses.
Jason Arista
Jason Arista
Truck stops don't help none when all you see is McDonald's
Daniel Nance
Daniel Nance
Pull a flatbed and tarp all of your loads. Lol
Matt Pimental
Matt Pimental
Just pissed where his face is sorry
Software Scripts
Software Scripts
Who else loves