Background
Occupational drivers are exposed to a wide range of risk factors, including sedentary behavior and physical inactivity, which can contribute to various chronic diseases. However, exercise interventions are likely to alleviate the negative associations and reduce chronic disease risks. This systematic review aimed to inventorize research studies investigating the effects of physical activity and exercise interventions on health outcomes in occupational drivers, and to assess interventions that have demonstrated effectiveness on health outcomes in occupational drivers.
Methods
The electronic databases "Web of Science," "Scopus," and "PubMed" were searched using keywords related to "occupational drivers," "exercise," and "health outcomes." Studies were included if they examined the effects of physical activity and exercise among occupational drivers on the following health outcomes: pain, disability, lifestyle factors (sleep, weight, physical activity, nutrition), fatigue, stress, and cardiometabolic risk factors. The methodological quality of the studies was assessed by the Cochrane Risk of Bias tools for randomized and non-randomized studies.
Results
Fourteen articles were included (three randomized and 11 non-randomized controlled trials). All studies were judged to have an overall risk of bias as "some concerns, low, moderate or serious." Evidence suggests that stretching and isometric exercises have significantly improved pain, disability, and fatigue. In contrast, multicomponent lifestyle interventions have enhanced physical activity levels, cardiometabolic risk factors, anthropometrics (body mass index, weight, waist circumference), sleep, and dietary intake among occupational drivers.
Conclusion
The available evidence indicates the potential benefits of exercise interventions and physical activity for health outcomes in occupational drivers. However, high-quality studies are needed in the future to establish stronger evidence supporting the effect of the exercise intervention.