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Time in Nature Associated with Decreased Fatigue in UK Truck Drivers

Daniel P. Longman, Colin N. Shaw, Veronica Varela-Mato, Aron P. Sherry, Katharina Ruettger, Mohsen Sayyah, Amber Guest, Yu-Ling Chen, Nicola J. Paine, James A. King and Stacy A. Clemes
Additional contact information
Daniel P. Longman: School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences, Loughborough University, Loughborough LE11 3TU, UK
Colin N. Shaw: Department of Anthropology, University of Zurich, 8050 Zurich, Switzerland
Veronica Varela-Mato: School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences, Loughborough University, Loughborough LE11 3TU, UK
Aron P. Sherry: School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences, Loughborough University, Loughborough LE11 3TU, UK
Katharina Ruettger: School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences, Loughborough University, Loughborough LE11 3TU, UK
Mohsen Sayyah: School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences, Loughborough University, Loughborough LE11 3TU, UK
Amber Guest: School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences, Loughborough University, Loughborough LE11 3TU, UK
Yu-Ling Chen: School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences, Loughborough University, Loughborough LE11 3TU, UK
Nicola J. Paine: School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences, Loughborough University, Loughborough LE11 3TU, UK
James A. King: School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences, Loughborough University, Loughborough LE11 3TU, UK
Stacy A. Clemes: School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences, Loughborough University, Loughborough LE11 3TU, UK

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 6, 1-17

Abstract: Heavy goods vehicle (HGV) driving is recognised as a highly hazardous occupation due to the long periods of sedentary behaviour, low levels of physical activity and unhealthy food options when working. These risk factors combine with shift work and concomitant irregular sleep patterns to increase the prevalence of fatigue. Fatigue is closely linked with stress and, subsequently, poor physiological and psychological health. In parallel, a wealth of evidence has demonstrated the health and wellbeing benefits of spending time in nature. Here, we sought to examine whether spending time in nature was associated with lower levels of fatigue, anxiety and depression in HGV drivers. 89 long-distance drivers (98.9% male, mean ± SD age: 51.0 ± 9 years, body mass index: 29.8 ± 4.7 kg/m 2 ) participating in a wider health promotion programme reported time spent in nature (during and before the Covid-19 pandemic) and symptoms of occupational fatigue, depression and anxiety. After controlling for covariates, truck drivers who visited nature at least once a week exhibited 16% less chronic fatigue prior to the pandemic, and 23% less chronic fatigue and 20% less acute fatigue during the pandemic. No significant differences were observed for either anxiety or depression. As fatigue has a range of physical and mental health sequelae, we propose that increased exposure to natural settings may make a valuable contribution to interventions to promote the health and wellbeing of this underserved group.

Keywords: driving; HGV driving; long-distance driving; truckers; self-reported fatigue; nature; health and wellbeing; Covid-19 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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