The SHIFT programme at Loughborough University and Leicester Diabetes Centre has been shortlisted for a National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Impact Prize.
Through the Impact Prizes, NIHR is celebrating researchers and teams who have had a major impact on the health and wealth of the nation, as well as globally.
The SHIFT programme investigated whether HGV drivers’ health behaviours could be improved using a specially designed programme which includes health education sessions, Fitbits, and lorry cabin workouts. The research revealed the programme led to a potentially clinically meaningful difference in activity and reductions in sitting, and was most effective in drivers with obesity. The training module is now embedded within the mandatory driver training of an industry partner, benefitting their workforce of more than 8,000 HGV drivers.
Stacy Clemes, Professor of Active Living and Public Health at Loughborough University and Lead Researcher on the SHIFT Programme said: “We are delighted to be nominated for this prestigious award and to have our research recognised alongside so many other inspiring projects.
“Our research with HGV drivers is now really making a difference to the health and wellbeing of drivers, it’s fantastic to see it having an impact in the real world.”
Winners will be announced at an in-person award ceremony on 20 March, hosted by Professor Lucy Chappell, Chief Scientific Advisor to the Department of Health and Social Care and CEO of the NIHR.