The study examined effects of traditional balance versus mat-based Pilates training on balance and trunk strength in healthy community dwellers. Forty-eight seniors were either stratified to a balance training group (BAL, n = 16, 69.1 (SD 5.8) y), Pilates training group (PIL, n = 17, 70.8 (6.5) y) or control group (CON, n = 15, 69.2 (6.1) y). BAL performed traditional balance training, while PIL conducted mat-based Pilates-exercises (8 weeks, 2 sessions/week 66min each). Balance performance (single limb stance and perturbed kneeling, Y-Balance test), dynamic and isometric trunk flexion and extension were assessed during pre- and post-testing. According to the magnitude-based inference approach, substantial positive effects in favor of BAL compared to CON were found for the Y-balance score (right leg effect size (d) = 0.68; left leg d = 0.56), trunk extension (d = 0.68) and single leg stance (right leg d = 0.61; left leg d = 0.38). Dynamic (d = 0.32) and isometric (d = 0.15) trunk flexion revealed unclear effects. For the Y-balance score (right leg d = 0.48, left leg d = 0.75) and single leg stance (right leg +d = 0.61%; left leg d = 0.67), interestingly, BAL substantially exceeded PIL. PIL versus CON revealed unclear effects for most parameters (0.05 < d < 0.36). Mat-based Pilates training did not cause relevant adaptations in trunk strength and balance performance, whereas balance training substantially improved balance and trunk strength.

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