Power Band or Power Scam?

Written by Geoff Mason

In today’s highly competitive sporting world, it is well documented that athletes will try almost anything to get an advantage over their competitors.

Over the last decade the sporting world has been shaken by an increase in the illegal use of performance enhancing drugs with hundreds of athletes being caught every year.

In recent weeks, three times Tour De France champion Alberto Condador, Commonwealth Games competitors Osayemi Oludamola and Rani Yadav, have all tested positive for banned substances.

The increase use in illegal substances has coincided with an increase in the legal use of energy drinks, caffeine and sleeping tablets as well as the problems that can arise when they are combined, with AFL star Ben Cousins the prime example.

Today it would seem that the new sporting fad on the block seeking its 30 seconds of fame are the Performance Technology Bands or as they are better known Power and Balance Bands.

But how long a product can last that was recently named and shamed by Australian consumer group Choice in its 2010 Shonky Awards, recognising the “shonkiest, meanest and silliest rip-offs and scams”?

The appropriate answer one would think is - not long.

However, with NBA players Shaquille O’Neal, Lamar Odam, Trevor Ariza, Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo and Formula One driver Rubens Barrichello, all jumping on the bandwagon of this latest craze, its success may be longer than first thought.

Keeping with the norm of what is popular in American or world-wide sports, this new up and coming sporting sensation has reached Australian shores promising more than a presidential candidate.

Power and Balance Bands, promise to improve balance, strength, flexibility and overall well being - all things athletes strive to achieve.

One manufacturer, Power Balance, the developers and leaders in this industry stated on the ninemsn news website that their bands use "holograms embedded with frequencies that react positively with your body's natural energy".

In addition, the Power Balance website provides a somewhat ‘scientific’ explanation as to how their product allows a persons body to run at optimum level, increasing power and strength by up to 500 per cent.

In short, their website claims that once the hologram comes into contact with a person’s energy field, it creates a harmonic loop that optimises their energy field and maintains maximum energy flow.

“This product gets me tremendous results; it really makes a difference,” said Los Angeles pitcher Scott Kazmir in his testimonial on the Power Balance website.

“You need core strength and endurance for everything and in going through my routines there is no doubt I feel better with the product on than when I don’t have it.

“I have no doubt Power Bands [are] going to get me to the next level.”

Currently in Australia, Eken Power Bands, is the leading manufacturer and is looking to cement its place in this growing market.

"For most of us, our bodies are running at a lower or higher vibration than is optimal as a result of pollution and modern pressures," Eken co-founder Brendan Howell said in a media release.

"Eken Power Bands simply help to restore your body's natural sense of balance and bring energy levels back in order so you have a better chance of performing at your best."

However, the bands are not without their sceptics with medical experts in the sporting industry having major issues with the research and theories of these plastic bands.

Sports medicine expert Peter Barnes, one of the Australia’s leading sports doctors is incredulous when question on Power Bands, insisting the reliability of the product must be questioned.

"I don't think there's a lot of science behind it but some people swear by them, just as they swear by magnets and all sorts of things," Dr. Barnes said in the Sunday Mail.

"You get one (fad device) every few years.

“They go into circulation - from the magic nose things to the magnets to the power things to the copper bangles - you name it.

"They'll (athletes) have a go at anything, even if it's proven to be absolutely ridiculous.

"But I'm not aware of any proper research about it."

Supporting the claims of Dr. Barnes is another sporting medicine identity; Socceroos head doctor Peter Brukner, who like Dr. Barnes, is sceptical of manufacturers’ research.

"I'd like to see the research that shows it makes a difference - you would suggest there isn't any," said Dr. Brukner in the Sunday Mail.

The world leaders in this market, Power Balance, along with Australian market leader Eken Power Bands, are more than happy to put their products to the test.

It may surprise many, but both Power Balance and Eken Power Bands, passed nationality televised tests in recent weeks with great success.

In the recent blind test aired on Today Tonight, several subjects did not know whether they had a Power Band in their pocket or not.

During the test, a Power Balance representative failed to pick up the subjects who had a Power Band product in their possession every time.

In another test conducted on the Today program, it was Eken Power Bands turn in the spotlight, and like its competitor, it passed the nationally televised test with great success.

However, despite these successful ‘tests’, Dr. Barnes, is still not sold on the idea that a band containing a hologram can deliver what it promises.

“If there's money in it, someone will say it's great and use it.

"They'll have a go at anything, even if it's proven to be absolutely ridiculous.

“They'll advocate it - especially if they get it for free and especially if somebody pays them to use it,” continued Dr. Barnes.

Speaking on the Today program, anthropologist Stephen Juan said that the bands lack “scientific evidence”.

“There is no scientific evidence whatsoever to back up the power of these Power Bands.”

“It is no surprise they have done no scientific testing.

“There is a rule in science – extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence and there ain’t no extraordinary evidence here,” explained Mr. Juan.

Despite having a large contingent of critics and believers in the sporting world, there is all one thing they agree on – the placebo effect or false cause argument as otherwise known.

The placebo effect is defined on the Complementary and Alternative Medicine website as the measurable, observable, and/or felt improvement (or decline) in health, which can not be attributed to the treatment.

“If you believe it that it helps, it will give you more confidence and maybe you can find that little bit of extra speed,” continued Mr. Juan.

“There is no harm in wearing such a thing, if you don’t mind losing a little bit of money for the privilege.”

Supporting this belief held by Mr. Juan is Perth Glory youth player James Marocchi, who is looking for any advantage possible as a young professional athlete.

“There has been a lot of talk about the Power Bands and if they work or are just a plastic waste of money.

“In saying that, they have not been scientifically proven or disproven and being a young footballer I’m looking for anything that gives me an advantage.

“For this reason alone, I will continue to wear the band as if it allows me mentally to work that 10 per cent harder in training, it can only be rewarding for me in the future,” explained Mr. Marocchi.

Like Mr. Marocchi, former South Australian National Football League (SANFL) player Scott Borlace, is unsure of the Power Bands benefit, but continues to wear it just in case it does work.

After having the radical knee surgery now commonly known as LARS, Mr. Borlace, was looking for any possible advantage he could use in his recovery and was suggested to try Power Bands.

"The bottom line is I'm not convinced," Mr. Borlace said in the Sunday Mail.

"But if it does give you any edge, even if it is mental, I think it is worth it.

"It's not scientifically proven - I'm a science teacher as well so I like to see the scientific facts.

"But in terms of the mental side of things, I was trying anything to get back."

There is one thing for certain in the sports industry like a player - a fad or trend is easily replaced by a better, brighter or cheaper option that is seeking its 30 seconds of fame.

Once you reach the top like Power Balance and Eken Power Bands have, there is always another company snapping at our heels to become number one in the industry, especially if there is money to be made.