Parliamentary elections 2027

Goal 1: Create a Finnish programme for physical functional capacity and identify university students as a separate group.

The parliamentary parties have committed to increasing Finns’ physical functional capacity by aiming for a 15% increase by 2040. Achieving this goal requires measures in all age groups throughout society, and promoting physical activity must encompass all life stages of the individual. University studies are part of many Finnish people’s learning path and life cycle. Therefore it is appropriate to direct measures aiming to increase functional capacity to universities.

Promoting an active culture in the university environment can impact students’ wellbeing by creating opportunities for a more active everyday life and strengthening students’ abilities to improve and maintain their own wellbeing. Investments in the physical activity of university students are not only investments in their ability to study, but also in their future ability to work. Students will enter the world of work with better working life skills and a more developed ability to look after their own wellbeing. This will have an impact on both the future of the individual and society as a whole.

OLL’s proposed solutions

• A cross-sectoral programme for physical functional capacity will be created which takes into account university studies as part of the lifelong promotion of physical activity, the ability to study and the ability to work
• The role of university communities will be identified in the programme for functional capacity in creating an active lifestyle and offering accessible and high-quality sports services
• University students will be identified as a separate target group when promoting physical activity and as users of municipal sports services

Goal 2: Guarantee sufficient resources for promoting physical activity among university students

Promoting physical activity among university students is key for both learning and comprehensive wellbeing. Research has shown that not moving enough reduces the ability to study, wellbeing and mental health (the Moving for a better study ability model, FSHS etc. 2022). At the same time, university students spend more time sitting on average than other population groups. The average university student sits for 10.5 hours per day, and 45% of students don’t exercise enough for their health (THL 2024). It is clear that the wellbeing of students cannot be improved in a holistic way without more activity in their daily lives.

Increasing physical activity requires continuity and predictability in the resource allocation and decision making. The way the resource allocation is organised must support effective long-term development. Cultural change and the development of structures supporting physical activity must be given time, and this development work must be given a stable position across governments.

In addition to the universities, students and the student movement must also be identified as active parties with the ability to change culture and influence their own community and its ways of working. A strong student community is a strength which, when given sufficient resources, can promote wellbeing, increase inclusion and build a sustainable, active everyday life. Supporting student-focused activities can also respond better to local hobby requirements and support the continuity of hobbies when students move from one educational institution or city to another. The sense of belonging in a student community, the active culture of this community, and hobby opportunities created through organisational activity can strengthen the ways of exercising that are adopted from peers and support students’ wellbeing in general.

OLL’s proposed solutions

• The duty to promote an active lifestyle will be included in the Universities of Applied Sciences Act and Universities Act
• The use of strategy funding for promoting physical activity will be assessed, and the funding for sports will be developed further as part of the funding for universities, while also taking predictability, which is key for development work, into account
• The opportunities of student unions to apply for funding in projects promoting an active lifestyle will be guaranteed

More information:

Martta Sopanen, President, martta.sopanen@oll.fi, +358447800211
Niko Peltokangas, Head of Communications, niko.peltokangas@oll.fi, +358 46 9211 215