HGV drivers are at increased risk of obesity, chronic conditions (such as heart disease and diabetes) and poor mental health, which can lead to reduced life expectancies. Professor Stacy Clemes and colleagues from Loughborough University and the Leicester Diabetes Centre developed a health promotion programme – SHIFT – in partnership with drivers, for drivers. SHIFT is designed to support drivers increase their activity levels, improve their diets and reduce the amount of time spent sitting, within the constraints of their driving occupation.  

The programme was tested with 382 HGV drivers, 99% male, with an average age of 48 years. The study showed positive effects in the 209 drivers who completed the trial, drivers who experienced the SHIFT programme accumulated approximately 1,000 steps a day more (equivalent to around 10 minutes of walking) after six months, compared to drivers who continued with their usual practice. Drivers experiencing the SHIFT programme made even bigger, positive, changes to their activity levels and reductions to their time spent sitting on their days off. Drivers with obesity particularly benefitted, losing an average of 2.4kgs over the six-month period.  

Wincanton converted the SHIFT programme into a Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (DCPC) module and a module component (a new one-hour version called Short-SHIFT), with 65 of its driver-trainers trained to deliver Short-SHIFT. Since October 2023, 6,500 Wincanton drivers have experienced Short-SHIFT as part of their latest compulsory training. Wincanton is also offering its drivers the seven-hour SHIFT DCPC module as an optional module, with courses running every month. 

SHIFT: the structured health intervention for truckers 

The seven-hour SHIFT DCPC module consists of an interactive education session, primarily focusing on physical activity, sitting and diet, but also covering driver risks and health problems, sleep, depression and smoking. Led by a trained facilitator, the course supports and empowers drivers to make informed decisions about their health and lifestyle choices. It is an interactive course, delivered through group discussions and the sharing of ideas and activities between participants that are relatable to them as drivers. The course includes an active walking break and a short exercise session which drivers could implement in their day to day lives.  

The one-hour Short-SHIFT session is designed to be embedded within existing DCPC modules, it is similar to the seven hour SHIFT DCPC module in its mode of delivery and style, but intends to raise drivers' awareness of health risks, and how small, feasible, changes to their activity, diet and/or sitting can have a big positive impact on drivers' health. 

The active healthy living project at Loughborough University