Researchers studied 197 long-haul truck drivers in Canada to understand why they have higher rates of excess body fat and lower fitness levels. The study found that drivers who sit for long hours, work irregular schedules, and have limited time for exercise tend to gain weight around their midsection and have weaker grip strength. More than one in five drivers reported doing no moderate exercise in the past week. The good news is that the study suggests targeted programs focusing on better eating habits, regular movement, and strength training could help reduce serious health risks like heart disease and diabetes in this profession.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: How the unique working conditions of long-haul truck drivers (sitting all day, irregular eating, limited exercise time) affect their body composition, fitness levels, and risk for chronic diseases like heart disease and diabetes.
  • Who participated: 197 long-haul truck drivers working in Canada. These are professional drivers who spend extended periods behind the wheel, often working irregular hours with limited access to healthy food and exercise facilities.
  • Key finding: Truck drivers with more years on the job and longer continuous driving hours tend to carry more weight around their waist. Drivers with stronger grip strength had lower body fat percentages and better overall fitness. Over 22% of drivers reported doing no moderate-to-vigorous physical activity in the past week.
  • What it means for you: If you’re a truck driver, this research suggests that your job’s unique challenges—long sitting periods, irregular schedules, and limited activity—significantly impact your health. The encouraging part: targeted interventions with better nutrition, regular movement breaks, and strength training may help reduce your risk of developing serious health conditions. However, these findings are specific to truck drivers and may not apply to other professions.

The Research Details

Researchers recruited 197 professional long-haul truck drivers and measured their bodies in several ways: they calculated body mass index (BMI), measured skin thickness at multiple points, used electrical impedance (a painless test that estimates body fat), and measured waist and other body circumferences. They also tested grip strength and asked drivers about their physical activity levels and work conditions. This cross-sectional approach means researchers collected all information at one point in time rather than following drivers over months or years.

The study compared different measurement tools to see which ones were most accurate and reliable for assessing body composition in truck drivers. This was important because some measurement methods might work better than others depending on how much body fat someone has. Researchers also gathered information about how many hours drivers spent continuously behind the wheel and how many years they’d been in the profession.

Understanding the specific health challenges truck drivers face is crucial because this occupation has unique risk factors that don’t apply to most other jobs. By measuring multiple aspects of body composition and fitness, researchers could identify which factors were most strongly connected to health risks. Testing different measurement tools helps ensure that future health screenings for truck drivers use the most accurate methods, which is important for catching health problems early.

This study provides solid real-world data from a meaningful sample size of 197 drivers. The researchers used multiple measurement methods, which strengthens confidence in their findings. However, because this is a snapshot study (not following drivers over time), we can see relationships between factors but can’t prove that one thing directly causes another. The study was conducted in Canada, so findings may vary in other countries with different working conditions or regulations. The large variation in measurement accuracy between different tools suggests that standardizing assessment methods would improve future research.

What the Results Show

The research revealed significant health concerns among long-haul truck drivers. Grip strength—a marker of overall fitness and muscle health—was substantially lower in drivers with higher body fat percentages and larger waist circumferences. This relationship was statistically significant (p<0.001), meaning it’s very unlikely to have occurred by chance. Drivers who reported more physical activity, both during work and leisure time, had stronger grip strength, suggesting that movement and exercise directly benefit fitness levels.

Waist circumference, which is particularly important for assessing health risk, increased with the number of continuous hours spent driving and years working in the profession. This means that drivers with longer careers and longer driving shifts tended to carry more weight around their midsection—a pattern associated with increased risk for heart disease and diabetes. The relationship between years on the job and waist-to-hip ratio was even stronger, indicating that career length is a significant factor in weight distribution changes.

Alarmingly, over one-fifth (22%) of drivers reported engaging in zero moderate-to-vigorous physical activity during the past week. This sedentary pattern is concerning because regular physical activity is crucial for preventing chronic diseases. The study also found that grip strength declined with years spent in the trucking industry, suggesting that the occupational demands may gradually reduce fitness levels over time.

The study compared three different methods for measuring body composition: skinfold thickness measurements, bioelectrical impedance analysis, and the Taylor Body Analyzer. While all methods showed some measurement variation, the Taylor Body Analyzer had notably higher error rates. Importantly, the agreement between different measurement tools decreased as drivers had higher body fat levels, meaning that for heavier individuals, choosing the right measurement method becomes even more critical for accurate assessment.

These findings align with existing research showing that sedentary occupations increase chronic disease risk. Previous studies have documented that long-haul truck drivers have higher rates of obesity, sleep disorders, and cardiovascular disease compared to the general population. This research adds important detail by showing specific connections between job characteristics (hours driven, years in profession) and body composition changes. The emphasis on grip strength as a fitness marker reflects growing scientific recognition that muscular strength is an independent predictor of health outcomes, separate from body weight alone.

This study captured drivers at a single point in time, so we cannot determine whether the job causes these health changes or whether people with certain health profiles are more likely to become truck drivers. The research was conducted in Canada and may not fully represent truck drivers in other countries with different regulations, road conditions, or work cultures. The study measured physical activity through self-report surveys, which may not be completely accurate—people sometimes overestimate or underestimate their activity levels. Additionally, the study didn’t examine other important health factors like diet quality, sleep patterns, or stress levels, which are known to be problematic in this profession. Finally, while 197 drivers is a reasonable sample, it represents a specific population and findings may not apply equally to all truck drivers.

The Bottom Line

For truck drivers: Consider implementing regular movement breaks during driving shifts (even 5-10 minutes of walking or stretching every 1-2 hours), prioritize strength training 2-3 times weekly if possible, and focus on maintaining consistent meal patterns with healthier food choices despite schedule challenges. These changes have moderate-to-strong evidence supporting their benefit for reducing chronic disease risk. For employers and policymakers: Support interventions that make physical activity and healthy eating more feasible for drivers, such as providing access to fitness facilities at truck stops, offering healthy meal options, and potentially adjusting schedules to allow adequate rest and activity time. Confidence level: Moderate—the research clearly identifies problems and suggests solutions, but long-term intervention studies in this population would strengthen recommendations.

This research is most relevant to long-haul truck drivers themselves, occupational health professionals who work with drivers, trucking companies and fleet managers, and occupational medicine physicians. Drivers with sedentary jobs, irregular schedules, or limited access to exercise facilities may find these insights applicable. However, these specific findings don’t necessarily apply to other professions with different working conditions. If you have existing health conditions like heart disease, diabetes, or joint problems, consult your healthcare provider before starting new exercise programs.

Realistic improvements in grip strength and body composition typically appear within 4-8 weeks of consistent physical activity and dietary changes, though more substantial weight loss may take 3-6 months. Cardiovascular health improvements can begin within 2-4 weeks of regular activity. However, reversing years of occupational sedentary behavior may require sustained effort over months to years. Starting with small, manageable changes is more likely to lead to lasting results than attempting dramatic overhauls.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track daily movement breaks during driving shifts (target: 5-minute break every 2 hours), weekly grip strength measurements using a hand dynamometer (inexpensive devices available online), and waist circumference monthly. Log these metrics alongside hours driven and meal consistency to identify patterns between work demands and health markers.
  • Set a specific goal like ‘Take a 5-minute walk at every fuel stop’ or ‘Do 10 minutes of strength exercises 3 times per week.’ Use the app to set reminders for movement breaks, log healthy meal choices when possible, and track grip strength progress. Celebrate small wins like completing planned exercise sessions or maintaining consistent meal times despite schedule changes.
  • Establish a baseline by measuring waist circumference and grip strength monthly. Track weekly physical activity minutes and note correlations with work hours and job tenure. Use the app’s trend analysis to show progress over 3-6 month periods. Share data with a healthcare provider annually to monitor changes in body composition and discuss chronic disease risk factors. Consider periodic reassessment using the same measurement method to ensure consistency.

This research describes health patterns in long-haul truck drivers but does not provide personalized medical advice. The findings suggest associations between occupational factors and health risks but cannot prove direct causation. Before starting any new exercise program, dietary changes, or health interventions, consult with your healthcare provider, especially if you have existing health conditions, take medications, or have physical limitations. This study was conducted in Canada and may not fully apply to all geographic regions or individual circumstances. The recommendations presented are based on this single study and should be considered alongside other medical evidence and professional guidance from your doctor or occupational health specialist.