Health Becoming Bigger Priority For Today's Truckers
by Jana Ritter - Published: 1/18/2017Truck 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.
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(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.
(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.
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...😳😱🤔
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.
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
Get fruit and veggies from the store. Trk stops offer very little.
Younger generation. Old days we did 6 pack curls
An a couple of lizared rides
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
Gloves man, thick gloves👍🏻
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?
But Victor, the VAST MAJORITY of the smell comes from the human urine covering the lot.
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?
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 :(
That may be true... U can always take walks around the truck stops.. I do... Sometimes is tough but better than nothing...be well.
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.
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. 😂 😂 😂
The lot smelled like that long, long before DEF...
Victor shits in the parking lot.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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!
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😱
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.
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
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!
Ya get outta trucking before it ruins your health period
My husband carries kettle bells, does western martial arts and eastern martial arts workouts almost every day and he's 69 years young.
Push-ups in a outdoor urinal....this driver is going to come down sick with AIDS, and or other diseases....how stupid.....
All I did was polishing good enough. And have have something to show for lol
Great idea. Get your head run over and squashed like a melon.
Must like smelling pee
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?
Def smells like Ammonia not human piss SMFH
Become a flatbed trucker! Securing and tapping freight is a hell of a workout!
get back to UNloading trailers no lumpers tons get back in shape
Don't eat processed meat. Doctor said that's probably why I got Colin cancer
I'm a truck driver and wellness coach wanna get advice free free to inbox me
Cut the carbs and salt intake... Eat fruits and veggies instead of chips and candy...
Always have a bottle of aspirin. Take one every few days to prevent blood clots.
Get fat and die young
Yes. Find another job.
Stop hanging off the front of the truck
Bull shit
Why not exercise on a truck stop toilet? Same thing.
Wouldn't put my face that close to a truck stop parking lot
I used to do that ok!!
Stop eating the pilot hot dogs
What sexy looks like
Don't become a driver...
Is that you Deano
Stop making excuses.
Truck stops don't help none when all you see is McDonald's
Pull a flatbed and tarp all of your loads. Lol
Just pissed where his face is sorry
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