Uno’s 50 drivers commit to local university health scheme
Uno and the University of Hertfordshire have launched an initiative to improve the health and fitness of drivers at the company.
The 12 week programme involves 50 Uno drivers partaking in individual and team challenges which encourage regular exercise and healthy eating plans, prescribed by University specialists.
Each bus driver has completed a comprehensive fitness, health and diet assessment with one of the University’s fitness instructors. Results were recorded and tests will be repeated at the end of the 12 weeks to assess improvement levels.
Dieticians will continue to work closely with drivers until the project concludes at the end of this month and exercise will continue to be encouraged with the provision of gym membership for drivers.
Commenting on the initiative, Stan Sawdy, Uno operations manager said: “It is already having a positive impact on the garage. It has got the drivers interacting with each other, which they didn’t normally do and most have significantly increased their activity levels as a result of the challenge. I’ve already seen a reduction in my own stress levels and I have a lot more energy.”
He added: “At the end of the 12 week period we hope to be reporting significant improvements in BMI, heart and lung efficiency, flexibility and strength. We also hope that creating a healthier workforce will have a positive impact on absenteeism resultant of sickness, presenting a business case for employers to invest in employee health programmes just like this one.”
Rhian Crawford, sports project officer at the the University said: “We are aware that some drivers have increased their weight by up to 14 pounds a year, this is mainly due to the inactive nature of their job and their changeable working hours. Many bus drivers eat on the move and have their meals on the buses during a break, which often means they are grabbing quick unhealthy snacks. It is common for drivers to use buses to get to and from each bus route, which further decreases their physical activity.”
