{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,9,2]],"date-time":"2026-09-02T20:38:14Z","timestamp":1788381494764,"version":"build-2803163510"},"reference-count":48,"publisher":"Frontiers Media SA","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2025,10,9]],"date-time":"2025-10-09T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1759968000000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"content-domain":{"domain":["frontiersin.org"],"crossmark-restriction":true},"short-container-title":["Front. Public Health"],"abstract":"<jats:sec><jats:title>Background<\/jats:title><jats:p>Core training (CT) has been increasingly recognized as a promising intervention for improving balance in older adults, a demographic particularly susceptible to falls and fall-related injuries. This systematic review and meta-analysis sought to evaluate the efficacy of CT on balance in older adults, providing substantial evidence to establish its role in fall prevention strategies.<\/jats:p><\/jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title>Methods<\/jats:title><jats:p>A comprehensive and systematic search of multiple databases, including PubMed, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, EBSCOhost, Embase and Google Scholar, was conducted to identify relevant studies. Eligible studies included single-group trials or randomized controlled trials that assessed the impact of CT on balance outcomes in healthy older adults (aged \u226560\u202fyears). It utilized the Cochrane Risk of Bias 2 (RoB 2) tool to assess the risk of bias across all included studies. Data were extracted from eleven studies and analyzed using Review Manager software version 5.4 and Stata 17.0, evaluating both dynamic and static balance parameters.<\/jats:p><\/jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title>Results<\/jats:title><jats:p>The findings revealed statistically significant improvements in both dynamic and static balance metrics, including Gait Test (GT) (SMD\u202f=\u202f0.32; 95% CI\u202f=\u202f0.02, 0.63; <jats:italic>p<\/jats:italic>\u202f&amp;lt;\u202f0.05), Functional Reach Test (FRT) (SMD\u202f=\u202f0.82; 95% CI\u202f=\u202f0.50, 1.24; <jats:italic>p<\/jats:italic>\u202f&amp;lt;\u202f0.00001), Timed Up and Go (TUG) test (SMD\u202f=\u202f\u22120.81; 95% CI\u202f=\u202f\u22121.62, 0.00; <jats:italic>p<\/jats:italic>\u202f=\u202f0.05), and One-Leg Stance Test (OLST) (MD\u202f=\u202f3.19; 95% CI\u202f=\u202f1.74, 4.64; <jats:italic>p<\/jats:italic>\u202f&amp;lt;\u202f0.001). Subgroup analyses further indicated that CT had the most significant effect on dynamic balance, particularly in FRT. Additionally, longer intervention durations (\u226545\u202fmin) resulted in more pronounced benefits for dynamic balance compared to shorter sessions. CT demonstrated superior effects on GT compared to Pilates Training (PT).<\/jats:p><\/jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title>Conclusion<\/jats:title><jats:p>CT is a highly effective intervention for enhancing balance in older adults, supporting its integration into fall prevention programs. However, given the heterogeneity across studies, further rigorously designed trials with standardized intervention protocols and outcome measures are necessary to confirm the long-term benefits and optimal parameters for balance enhancement.<\/jats:p><\/jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title>Systematic review registration<\/jats:title><jats:p><jats:uri>Inplasy.com<\/jats:uri>, INPLASY202412006.<\/jats:p><\/jats:sec>","DOI":"10.3389\/fpubh.2025.1661460","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2025,10,9]],"date-time":"2025-10-09T13:51:28Z","timestamp":1760017888000},"update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3389\/crossmark-policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":10,"title":["Effects of core training on balance performance in older adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis"],"prefix":"10.3389","volume":"13","author":[{"given":"Yuanji","family":"Zhong","sequence":"first","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Wenhao","family":"Guo","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Pengwei","family":"Chen","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Yongshun","family":"Wang","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"1965","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2025,10,9]]},"reference":[{"key":"ref1","year":"2021"},{"key":"ref2","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"714","DOI":"10.14336\/AD.2024.0124-1","article-title":"Age-related dysfunction in balance: a comprehensive review of causes, consequences, and interventions","volume":"16","author":"Wang","year":"2025","journal-title":"Aging Dis"},{"key":"ref3","year":"2021"},{"key":"ref4","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1159","DOI":"10.12114\/j.issn.1007-9572.2022.0842","article-title":"Interpretation of the 2022 edition of the \u201cworld guidelines: prevention and management of falls in older adults\u201d","volume":"26","author":"Wu","year":"2023","journal-title":"Chin Gen Pract"},{"key":"ref5","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"402","DOI":"10.1191\/0269215500cr342oa","article-title":"What is balance?","volume":"14","author":"Pollock","year":"2000","journal-title":"Clin Rehabil"},{"key":"ref6","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"467","DOI":"10.1016\/j.neucli.2008.09.001","article-title":"Balance disorders in the elderly","volume":"38","author":"Sturnieks","year":"2008","journal-title":"Neurophysiol Clin"},{"key":"ref7","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"2394","DOI":"10.3390\/healthcare12232394","article-title":"Mechanism-driven strategies for reducing fall risk in the elderly: a multidisciplinary review of exercise interventions","volume":"12","author":"Zhong","year":"2024","journal-title":"Healthcare (Basel)"},{"key":"ref8","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"713","DOI":"10.1590\/1517-8692202228062022_0096","article-title":"Impact of core fitness on balance performance in the elderly","volume":"28","author":"Xu","year":"2022","journal-title":"Rev Bras Med Esporte"},{"key":"ref9","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"12","DOI":"10.37506\/ijocm.v9i1.2926","article-title":"Effect of core stabilization exercises on balance performance in older adults","volume":"9","author":"Ponde","year":"2021","journal-title":"Int J Contemp Med"},{"key":"ref10","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"33","DOI":"10.1519\/SSC.0b013e3181df4521","article-title":"Core training: evidence translating to better performance and injury prevention","volume":"32","author":"McGill","year":"2010","journal-title":"Strength Cond J"},{"key":"ref11","volume-title":"The effectiveness of Swiss ball training on balance in older adults [master\u2019s thesis]","author":"Corbett","year":"2005"},{"key":"ref12","first-page":"423","article-title":"Core strengthening and balance in the geriatric population","volume":"5","author":"Petrofsky","year":"2005","journal-title":"J Appl Res Clin Exp Ther"},{"key":"ref13","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"95","DOI":"10.1123\/japa.2013-0115","article-title":"The effect of adding core stability training to a standard balance exercise program on sit to stand performance in older adults: a pilot study","volume":"23","author":"Arnold","year":"2015","journal-title":"J Aging Phys Act"},{"key":"ref14","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","DOI":"10.1002\/9781119558378","volume-title":"Introduction to meta-analysis","author":"Borenstein","year":"2021"},{"key":"ref15","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"125","DOI":"10.1136\/ebmed-2016-110401","article-title":"New evidence pyramid","volume":"21","author":"Murad","year":"2016","journal-title":"Evid Based Med"},{"key":"ref16","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"715","DOI":"10.1016\/j.apmr.2014.11.021","article-title":"Effect of Pilates exercise for improving balance in older adults: a systematic review with meta-analysis","volume":"96","author":"Barker","year":"2015","journal-title":"Arch Phys Med Rehabil"},{"key":"ref17","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"327","DOI":"10.1123\/japa.2017-0078","article-title":"The effects of the Pilates training method on balance and falls of older adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials","volume":"26","author":"Moreno-Segura","year":"2018","journal-title":"J Aging Phys Act"},{"key":"ref18","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"102232","DOI":"10.1016\/j.ctim.2019.102232","article-title":"Pilates exercise and postural balance in older adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials","volume":"48","author":"Casonatto","year":"2020","journal-title":"Complement Ther Med"},{"key":"ref19","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"3083","DOI":"10.3390\/healthcare11233083","article-title":"The effectiveness of Pilates training interventions on older adults\u2019 balance: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials","volume":"11","author":"Sampaio","year":"2023","journal-title":"Healthcare (Basel)"},{"key":"ref20","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"101888","DOI":"10.1016\/j.ctcp.2024.101888","article-title":"Effects of Pilates exercises on postural balance and reduced risk of falls in older adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis","volume":"57","author":"De Campos J\u00fanior","year":"2024","journal-title":"Complement Ther Clin Pract"},{"key":"ref21","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1486746","DOI":"10.3389\/fmed.2024.1486746","article-title":"Effectiveness of tai chi exercise on balance, falls, and motor function in older adults: a meta-analysis","volume":"11","author":"Li","year":"2024","journal-title":"Front Med"},{"key":"ref22","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1281144","DOI":"10.3389\/fpubh.2023.1281144","article-title":"The comparison between effects of Taichi and conventional exercise on functional mobility and balance in healthy older adults: a systematic literature review and meta-analysis","volume":"11","author":"Li","year":"2023","journal-title":"Front Public Health"},{"key":"ref23","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1721","DOI":"10.1007\/s40279-015-0375-y","article-title":"Effects of balance training on balance performance in healthy older adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis","volume":"45","author":"Lesinski","year":"2015","journal-title":"Sports Med"},{"key":"ref24","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"284","DOI":"10.3390\/life10110284","article-title":"Effects of resistance exercise on balance ability: systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials","volume":"10","author":"\u0160arabon","year":"2020","journal-title":"Life (Basel)"},{"key":"ref25","first-page":"26","article-title":"Core training for improved performance","volume":"2","author":"Handzel","year":"2003","journal-title":"NSCA Perform Train J"},{"key":"ref26","first-page":"5009","article-title":"Meta-analysis of core strength training on balance ability and fall risk prevention in middle-aged and older adults","volume":"20","author":"Wang","year":"2019","journal-title":"Chin Geriatr"},{"key":"ref27","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"89","DOI":"10.1186\/s13643-021-01626-4","article-title":"The PRISMA 2020 statement: an updated guideline for reporting systematic reviews","volume":"10","author":"Page","year":"2021","journal-title":"Syst Rev"},{"key":"ref28","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","DOI":"10.1002\/9781119536604","volume-title":"Cochrane handbook for systematic reviews of interventions","author":"Higgins","year":"2019"},{"key":"ref29","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"471","DOI":"10.1136\/bmj.316.7129.471","article-title":"Bias in meta-analysis detected by a simple, graphical test: increase in studies of publication bias coincided with increasing use of meta-analysis","volume":"316","author":"Song","year":"1998","journal-title":"BMJ"},{"key":"ref30","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1","DOI":"10.1002\/0470870168.ch1","article-title":"Publication bias in meta-analysis","volume-title":"Publication bias in meta-analysis","author":"Rothstein","year":"2005"},{"key":"ref31","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"65","DOI":"10.1123\/japa.2012-0132","article-title":"Core muscle strengthening\u2019s improvement of balance performance in community-dwelling older adults: a pilot study","volume":"22","author":"Kahle","year":"2014","journal-title":"J Aging Phys Act"},{"key":"ref32","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"229","DOI":"10.5103\/KJSB.2016.26.2.229","article-title":"Development of core strength training equipment and its effect on the performance and stability of the elderly in activities of daily living","volume":"26","author":"Koh","year":"2016","journal-title":"Korean J Sport Biomech"},{"key":"ref33","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"105","DOI":"10.1159\/000343152","article-title":"Effects of core instability strength training on trunk muscle strength, spinal mobility, dynamic balance and functional mobility in older adults","volume":"59","author":"Granacher","year":"2013","journal-title":"Gerontology"},{"key":"ref34","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"117","DOI":"10.1016\/j.archger.2015.05.009","article-title":"Effects of feedback-based balance and core resistance training vs. Pilates training on balance and muscle function in older women: a randomized controlled trial","volume":"61","author":"Markovic","year":"2015","journal-title":"Arch Gerontol Geriatr"},{"key":"ref35","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"421","DOI":"10.4236\/ape.2020.104034","article-title":"Effects of integrative core stability training on balance and walking speed in healthy elderly people","volume":"10","author":"Sannicandro","year":"2020","journal-title":"Adv Phys Educ"},{"key":"ref36","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"e945212","DOI":"10.12659\/MSM.945212","article-title":"Enhancing balance and strength in older adults: the impact of Pilates and vibro-swing exercises","volume":"30","author":"Yoon","year":"2024","journal-title":"Med Sci Monit"},{"key":"ref37","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"30","DOI":"10.1080\/08952841.2019.1618129","article-title":"Pilates exercise focused on ankle movements for improving gait ability in older women","volume":"33","author":"Choi","year":"2021","journal-title":"J Women Aging"},{"key":"ref38","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"e7948","DOI":"10.7717\/peerj.7948","article-title":"Pilates versus resistance training on trunk strength and balance adaptations in older women: a randomized controlled trial","volume":"7","author":"Carrasco-Poyatos","year":"2019","journal-title":"PeerJ"},{"key":"ref39","first-page":"479","article-title":"The effect of strength and core stabilization training on physical fitness factors among elderly people","volume":"16","author":"Hosseini","year":"2012","journal-title":"World Appl Sci J"},{"key":"ref40","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"378","DOI":"10.5854\/JIAPTR.2012.3.1.378","article-title":"Effect of core strengthening exercise programs on symmetric double limb support and balance ability for the elderly","volume":"3","author":"Kang","year":"2012","journal-title":"J Int Acad Phys Ther Res"},{"key":"ref41","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1443168","DOI":"10.3389\/fpubh.2024.1443168","article-title":"Tai chi improves balance performance in healthy older adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis","volume":"12","author":"Cui","year":"2024","journal-title":"Front Public Health"},{"key":"ref42","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"995","DOI":"10.2165\/00007256-200838120-00004","article-title":"Optimizing performance by improving core stability and core strength","volume":"38","author":"Hibbs","year":"2008","journal-title":"Sports Med"},{"key":"ref43","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1815","DOI":"10.1080\/02640414.2022.2110203","article-title":"Effects of core training on dynamic balance stability: a systematic review and meta-analysis","volume":"40","author":"Barrio","year":"2022","journal-title":"J Sports Sci"},{"key":"ref44","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"10","DOI":"10.1519\/00126548-200704000-00001","article-title":"Core training: stabilizing the confusion","volume":"29","author":"Faries","year":"2007","journal-title":"Strength Cond J"},{"key":"ref45","first-page":"31","article-title":"How to improve proprioception: focus on the lower body to train balance","volume":"21","author":"Tarrant","year":"2003","journal-title":"IDEA Health Fit Source"},{"key":"ref46","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"148","DOI":"10.3390\/bs13020148","article-title":"Effects of core training on sport-specific performance of athletes: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials","volume":"13","author":"Dong","year":"2023","journal-title":"Behav Sci (Basel)"},{"key":"ref47","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"975","DOI":"10.5114\/biolsport.2023.123319","article-title":"Core training and performance: a systematic review with meta-analysis","volume":"40","author":"Rodr\u00edguez-Perea","year":"2023","journal-title":"Biol Sport"},{"key":"ref48","volume-title":"Functional training handbook","author":"Liebenson","year":"2014"}],"container-title":["Frontiers in Public Health"],"original-title":[],"link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/www.frontiersin.org\/articles\/10.3389\/fpubh.2025.1661460\/full","content-type":"unspecified","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2025,10,9]],"date-time":"2025-10-09T13:51:32Z","timestamp":1760017892000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/www.frontiersin.org\/articles\/10.3389\/fpubh.2025.1661460\/full"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2025,10,9]]},"references-count":48,"alternative-id":["10.3389\/fpubh.2025.1661460"],"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3389\/fpubh.2025.1661460","relation":{},"ISSN":["2296-2565"],"issn-type":[{"value":"2296-2565","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2025,10,9]]},"article-number":"1661460"}}