The invention relates to a method for monitoring the condition of a continuous element (44) moving in a 
fiber web or paper finishing 
machine, said monitoring being performed with a rotating 
machine element (41), which is equipped with a sensor 
assembly (24) that measures force or pressure and against which the continuous element moves. In the method, the 
machine element is made to rotate against the continuous element, a measurement 
signal (25) is generated between the machine element and the continuous element with the sensor 
assembly, and a cross-directional profile (21) of force or pressure generated between the machine element and the continuous element is formed from the measurement 
signal. Said moving continuous element is a fabric (32, 33) installed in a fabric run (22, 23) traveling via the machine element. In the method, the fabric is additionally installed in a fabric run, wherein it moves via said machine element equipped with a sensor 
assembly, a reference profile (35) is formed for the cross-directional profile after installing the fabric in the fabric run, the cross-directional profile formed from the measurement 
signal and representing force or pressure generated between the machine element and the fabric is compared with the reference profile, and information (37) is produced from the comparison for monitoring the condition of the fabric. The invention also relates to a corresponding 
system and a 
computer program product.