Brittany blujus

EFFECT OF THE POWER BALANCE� BAND ON STATIC BALANCE, HAMSTRING FLEXIBILITY, AND ARM STRENGTH IN ADULTS PRINCESS J.R. VERDAN, THOMAS S. MARZILLI, GEANINA I. BARNA, ANNTIONETTE N. ROQUEMORE,

BRAD A. FENTER, BRITTANY BLUJUS, AND KEVIN P. GOSSELIN

Department of Health and Kinesiology, The University of Texas at Tyler, Tyler, Texas

ABSTRACT

Verdan, PJR, Marzilli, TS, Barna, GI, Roquemore, AN, Fenter, BA,

Blujus, B, and Gosselin, KP. Effect of the power balance�

band on static balance, hamstring flexibility, and arm strength

in adults. J Strength Cond Res 26(8): 2113–2118, 2012—The

purpose of this study was to determine the effect of Power

Balance� bands on strength, flexibility, and balance. Strength

and flexibility were measured using the MicroFit system.

Strength was measured via a bicep curl and flexibility via the

sit-and-reach method. Balance was measured by the BIODEX

System SD. There were 4 different conditions for the balance

test: eyes open on a firm surface (EOFS), eyes closed on a firm

surface (ECFS), eyes open on a foam surface (EOFoS), and

eyes closed on a foam surface (ECFoS). There were 24

subjects in the study (10 men and 14 women). A counterbal-

ance, double-blind, placebo, controlled within-subject design

was used. Each of the subjects participated in 3 treatment

sessions, consisting of Power Balance�, placebo band, and no

band. An alpha level of p # 0.05 was set a priori. There were no

significant differences in strength, flexibility, or balance with

regard to the treatments used. There was a significant

difference between the conditions in the balance test (p =

0.000): EOFS (0.51), ECFS (0.68), EOFoS (0.99), and ECFoS

(2.18); however, these were independent of the treatment

conditions. The results indicate that the Power Balance� bands

did not have an effect on strength, flexibility, or balance.

KEY WORDS Mylar hologram, wristband, ergogenic aid, biceps

curl

INTRODUCTION

T he optimal control of balance, coupled with increased strength and better flexibility, is an essential requirement for the successful accom- plishment of a variety of human behaviors (10) and

practices, from sports and daily activities to the prevention of injury (1). For a better understanding of the concept of balance, Bressel et al. (3) suggest that some of the factors that influence balance are sensory information obtained from the visual, vestibular, and somatosensory systems and motor responses that affect joint range of motion, coordination, and strength. Also, Anderson and Behm (1) suggest that balance is accomplished through the interaction of central anticipa- tory and reflexive actions and the passive and active restraints imposed by the muscular system.

Achieving optimal control of balance, increased strength, and better flexibility are gaining paramount importance in a world of technological advancements, human performance, and medical discoveries. It is no wonder that there is a never-ending attempt to create new products designed to improve such essential conditions. For the past few years, various wristbands have invaded the market professing to enhance poor balance, strength, and flexibility, including EFX Bracelet, iRenew, Phiten X30 Healthy Bracelet, and the Power Balance� band (5,9,17,18).

For this study, the Power Balance� band was used because of its popularity and many endorsements by professional athletes. According to powerbalance.com (18), ‘‘we want everyone, no matter their level of activity, to maximize their potential and live life to the fullest through the use of a new and revolutionary technology, the Mylar hologram.’’ The Mylar hologram, treated with energy waves and placed within a silicon band, is meant to carry that electromagnetic (EM) field of energy (18). Rein (19) suggests that duplicating the natural dynamic frequency patterns within an externally applied EM field carrier could be used to treat the body. According to Layng (12), holograms have shown to be useful in the market place and are being used in credit cards and labels for security reasons and are found on food boxes, magazine tip-ins, book covers, tickets, and currency; however, the following question arises: ‘‘What effect, if any, can a Mylar hologram have on the body’s energy flow?’’

Address correspondence to Dr. Thomas S. Marzilli, smarzilli@uttyler. edu.

26(8)/2113–2118

Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research � 2012 National Strength and Conditioning Association

VOLUME 26 | NUMBER 8 | AUGUST 2012 | 2113

Copyright © National Strength and Conditioning Association Unauthorized reproduction of this article is prohibited.

With this question in mind, the authors of this study questioned the validity and effectiveness of the Power Balance� Company’s tests, which are done during advertise- ment. Although the company conducts 4 tests—the first test always without the band, whereas the second one with the band—it does not control for learning effect, fatigue, or placebo, and it does not prove that the Mylar hologram has an effect on the body’s energy flow. According to the company’s website, they are yet to conduct scientific research to prove the effects of the band (18). The authors of this study could only find one pilot study that was performed to determine the effectiveness of the holographic balance band with regard to improved balance, flexibility, and strength. The independent pilot study was conducted for the American Council on Exercise by exercise physiologists at the University of Wisconsin at LaCrosse. The double-blinded study hypothesized that the balance bands would be ineffective (22). Although the pilot study demonstrated that there was no positive effect of the balance band on any of their performance tests, because the order of the tests was not counterbalanced, this study did demonstrate a significant testing effect, demonstrating that whichever test was conducted second, performance was significantly better than that of the first time. This research study not only uses objective performance tests, but the order of these tests were also counterbalanced to control for any possible testing effects.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of wearing Power Balance� bands on: (a) balance, (b) hamstring flexibility, and (c) arm strength. This article aimed to answer the specific research question: whether wearing the Power Balance� band improves balance, flexibility, and strength as suggested and published in the item’s literature. It was hypothesized that the balance bands would have no effect on balance, flexibility, and