The government appointed National Board on Health Promoting Exercise suggested that the executive board of the national Strength in Old Age Health Exercise Programme (2005–2014) should design a national policy programme for older people’s physical activity. The policy programme was made in cooperation with the similarly aimed PASEO project funded by the EU.

The target group of the programme includes older people who do not get enough exercise for their health: 1) 60+ people who are retiring, 2) 75+ people living independently and having early problems of mobility, 3) older people in home services, service housing or long-term institutional care. The starting point was to increase everyday activity and physical activity independently or in guidance.

The background of the programme is formed by what we know about the challenges of population ageing, benefits of exercise for health and functional capacity, level of physical activity in older people in relation to exercise recommendations, significance of environment, quality and quantity of guided exercise, and need for exercise counselling. The promotion of everyday mobility and increase of exercise counselling and guided exercise requires cross-sectorial administrative cooperation. High quality development requires changes in attitudes and the assumption of new knowledge and methods of action.

The policy programme offers recommendations in six areas: 1) Cross-sectorial cooperation and division of activity 2) Environment and facilities 3) Exercise counselling and activities 4) Public awareness, attitudes and expertise 5) Dialogue between research and development 6) Coordination, follow-up and evaluation of the programme