Van drivers are spending the equivalent of a month each year behind the wheel, according to a poll of 500 adults who drive a van for work. They typically spend three hours a day in their vehicle, whether driving, eating or taking a break. Consequently, 21% worry that the amount of driving they do will impact their long-term health.
Half of those polled eat in their vehicle during the working day, doing so three times a week, with a quarter admitting they have a weak spot for junk food. The research was commissioned by Fiat Professional which has collaborated with Team GB former athlete and endurance coach for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, James Thie, to create its Van Driver Health Guide focusing on meals, motivation and movement. This includes step-ups which can be performed by getting in and out of the driver's seat, squats which can be done while loading and unloading the vehicle, and triceps dips off the rear of the van.
The advice also includes what foods to eat and what to avoid when stopping off at service stations and garages. James Thie, who is also the current World Masters indoor Champion over 1500 metres, said: "Driving a van for hours at a time requires lots of concentration which is incredibly tiring, and this can mean drivers are too fatigued to exercise." "Being a driver means sitting in one position for extended periods, which puts strain on the body, particularly the neck, shoulders and lower back," it was noted.
"Driving can limit when and where people eat,.
