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Exercise routine for truckers

Trucking can be a hazardous job. Aside from their safety out on the road, truckers also have to worry about a litany of other health issues. Sprains and strains from lifting heavy loads, and sitting for hours at a time. Now, a Siouxland hospital is developing a program to help them get healthy, and stay safe.

It's a long way from point 'a' to point 'b' when you're a trucker. And that means a lot of time in the driver's seat. Believe it or not, that sitting can actually do damage to your body. "Typically, truckers have a lot of stress on their body. They have a very difficult job physically, and yet they are probably one of the more under-utilized physically. They don't do as much as they should. You don't get good circulation, and there's just stresses to the same place for long periods of time," said Jerry DeWit. That stress can lead to low back, neck and arm pain over time.

But not if those truckers "get moving." It's a program designed by Physical Therapist Jerry DeWit at Floyd Valley Hospital in Le Mars, Iowa. It's a 3-phase program that moves truckers from first gear to overdrive. "We have 4 or 5 stretches targeting the areas that tend to get shortened or tighter. And then 4 or 5 strengthening activities targeted for the muscles they're going to use and need," said DeWit. And don't forget the aerobic activity. DeWit suggests going for a short walk while your filling up with gas, or loading or unloading the trailer. There's even a grid to log all your exercise. It should get your muscles moving, heart pumping, and give you more energy for the drive ahead. And DeWit says truckers may not be the only ones to see a benefit from the program. Companies stand to gain, as well. "Less sick days, less worker change over, less injured workers," said DeWit.

Now, this program at Floyd Valley is just in the beginning stages. And DeWit says it could work for anyone who spends a lot of time out on the road, making it hard to get into an exercise routine. If you want more information, you can give Jerry DeWit a call at Floyd Valley Hospital at 712-546-7871.