On September 8, the Social Sports Guidance Center of the General Administration of Sport of China (hereinafter referred to as the "Social Sports Center of the General Administration of Sport") officially released the first driver health exercise in China. This exercise was developed with the exclusive support of Guangxi Yuchai Machinery Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as "Yuchai"). This is the inaugural health exercise for a specific occupational group under the guidance of a national ministry.
China has the largest group of drivers in the world. According to incomplete statistics, the number of Chinese drivers will exceed 510 million in 2022, distributed in trucks, buses, construction machinery, agricultural machinery, ships, passenger vehicles, and other fields. Due to long-term sedentary, drivers often suffer from various occupational diseases or fatigue driving.
According to the Survey Report on Truck Drivers' Employment in 2022 released by the China Federation of Logistics and Purchasing in 2023, most truck drivers suffer from occupational diseases. The survey data show that 72.37% of truck drivers suffer from occupational diseases such as stomach disease, cervical spondylosis, and hypertension. The health problems of truck drivers are still worthy of attention. Based on the feedback received, most truck drivers suffering from occupational diseases are between the ages of 36 and 45 and have been involved in freight transportation for 11 to 15 years. Only 27.63% of truck drivers reported being free from such health issues. Driver health has emerged as a significant factor impacting the high-quality development of China's logistics industry.
To ensure drivers' health, the Social Sports Center of the General Administration of Sport has been coordinating and advocating for the development and implementation of driver-specific health exercises since 2022. The exercise was specially developed by Dr. Yan Qi and his expert team from the China Institute of Sport Science, with participation and guidance from the Scientific Fitness Center of the General Administration of Sport of China, Beijing Hospital, and other organizations. The exercise was finalized through collaborative research and trial usage with Yuchai across various driver groups.
This driver health exercise will be the first set of aerobics specially developed by a national ministry for an occupational group in China. Following an expert review by the Social Sports Center of the General Administration of Sport, it is deemed to be scientific, effective, and easy to learn. It can assist drivers in alleviating fatigue and physical discomfort associated with driving and work, and is suitable for widespread promotion. This will ensure the health of drivers and promote the healthy development of China's transportation industry.
Yuchai is China's largest autonomous provider of power systems and the first manufacturer of internal combustion engines with a production and sales volume exceeding 10 million units. It caters to a diverse range of users, including trucks, buses, construction machinery, agricultural machinery, ships, and other sectors. Consequently, it offers a substantial user base for the development and implementation of driver health exercises.
Li Hanyang, Secretary of the CPC Committee and Chairman of Yuchai Group, expressed the significance and value of Yuchai's emphasis on customer appreciation, support for their success, and involvement in the development of China's first driver health exercise led by the Social Sports Center of the General Administration of Sport. This initiative truly offers exclusive health protection for drivers, while also serving as a tangible implementation of Yuchai's national fitness strategy and fulfillment of social responsibility.
Yuchai has consistently prioritized the fulfillment and implementation of social responsibilities. In response to the pandemic in 2022, Yuchai took on its social responsibility and promptly established a dedicated task force to provide "heroes in harm's way" on the highways with five service guarantees: "heartwarming package and free checkpoint", complimentary rescue and maintenance services for epidemic prevention vehicles, free emergency passage services for epidemic prevention vehicles, emergency support services for spare parts, and free distribution of epidemic prevention supplies in expressway service areas. This initiative aims to bring warmth to the trucking community.
Yuchai's contributions to public welfare for drivers have also received recognition. In 2022, Yuchai won the honorary title of "Pioneering Enterprise for Public Welfare" by China Automotive News and China Automotive Brother. YC DIESEL also earned the prestigious title of "Truck Brother Trusted Brand".