Why we need movement?

59% of the European population is reported to never or rarely exercise or play sport (Eurobarometer 2014). According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), a lack of physical activity is even more dangerous to our health than smoking and we know now that Physical inactivity is the fourth leading risk factor for global mortality.

600,000 people in Europe die each year due to insufficient physical activity. The estimated economic damage of the lack or absence of physical activity is estimated at € 300 a year for each person. This equates to a global loss of € 152 billion annually.

What can we do?

As sedentary lifestyle continues to emerge as one of the most dangerous habits of modern society, it has become clear that the way we spend our days needs a change – a new active way of living. To support and promote this change, we initiate a new European initiative – No Elevators Day.

No Elevators Day is a pan-European initiative part of NowWeMOVEcampaign initiated by International Sports and Culture Association (ISCA) and supporting the European Week of Sport #BeActive.

No Elevators Day could be easily implemented – in office buildings, shopping centre, apartment blocks, car parks, universities, and other public and private buildings. The general idea of the No Elevators Day is to promote the usage of stairs instead of elevators on an everyday basis.

When No Elevators Day will happen?

No Elevators Day will happen on 26.04.2017 all over Europe.

A special event will be organised at Embassy Shopping Complex in Valletta.

You can join the initiative by sealing the elevators in your building on that day to promote the usage of stairs instead of elevators and inform people about the benefits of movement. Learn more on HOW TO.

Few facts about climbing the stairs:

• Walking up the stairs burns two to three times calories than walking.
• It requires about 8-11kcal of energy per minute, which is comparatively higher than other moderate intensity physical activities.
• A 70 kg person can burn 30 calories per day if they climb two flights of stairs (approx. 12 steps each) three times.
• Walking up six flights of stairs three times per day will result in 90 calories burned.
• The number of calories you burn depends on your body weight, as heavier people burn more calories than lighter ones.
• Climbing more than 55 flights of stairs per week may significantly reduce inactivity-related health risks. It can help to build and maintain healthy bones, muscles and joints, as well as helping to maintain a healthy body weight.
• Stair climbing is also associated with “good cholesterol” levels, better bone density of post-menopausal women, increased leg power, and may even lead to reduced risk of injury from falls among the elderly.
• Even minimal activity, such as going up two flights of stairs every day, can lead to weight loss of up to 2.7kg over a one-year period.
• Stair climbing does not require any special equipment or preparation, and it is also a “green” activity as it does not use any externally produced energy.
• In addition, stair climbing can be accumulated over the course of the day, making it a significant contribution to the recommended minimum of 20 minutes of daily physical activity.
• And last, but not least, using the stairs could even save time. The stairs are the quickest way to your destination in buildings with seven floors or less, especially during peak times.

All activities under No Elevators Day title will be voluntary and will take into consideration the accessibility requirements for people with disabilities and medical conditions and will provide access to them and to those not willing to participate.