Aerobic exercise improved balance more than Pilates in older adults
A randomized trial of 44 adults aged 60–69 compared eight weeks of exercise and found greater gains in balance and walking speed with aerobic training.
8 weeks, registered TCTR20240403002
Limit: Session frequency differed between groups despite equal weekly exercise time
Edited by Boris Djordjevic · AgingResearch.News
In a randomized trial, 44 adults aged 60–69 followed an aerobic or Pilates exercise program for eight weeks, with 22 people in each group. Aerobic training involved three 30-minute sessions weekly. Pilates involved two 45-minute sessions weekly, using mat exercises, standing exercises and resistance bands. Both groups completed 90 minutes of active exercise per week.
The aerobic group improved more in walking speed and balance during movement. Both groups also improved on tests of physical function and lower-body strength and reported less fear of falling, better sleep and better quality of life. The researchers suggested aerobic exercise may be preferable for improving mobility and balance, while both programs offered benefits.
Why it matters
Maintaining mobility and balance is a goal of exercise in later life. This comparison may help guide exercise choices for community-dwelling older adults.
Caveats
The trial lacked a non-exercise control group, and session frequency differed despite equal weekly exercise time. It included only adults aged 60–69, lasted eight weeks, and the abstract did not report harms.
The paper
Chulalongkorn University
BMC Geriatrics, Jul 24, 2026, Open access
