Power Balance, utter nonsense, or not ?

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I picked up a Powerbalance band at a Tri' in France earlier this summer and had the demonstration etc, which the group I was with all went through and put it down to everything and anything from PNF Stretching to a "trick" used by the people doing the demonstration putting slightly different pressure's on you.

Although there seemed to be little science and even less literature/explanation we pretty much all bought one based on the demo', the rationale being that although we thought it was probably rubbish, what if it wasn't!!!

Personally I think it's a load of cack, how can a hologram sticker balance you? would the same go for a watch with a hologram logo on it? Or a hat for that matter! - I think that's it's positive reinforcing which in itself I suppose can have an effect.

I've previously attended lectures on sports psychology and addressing specific negative thoughts/unrealisitic thoughts etc first, doing a power balance style test (where you fall over), then reinforcing with positive thoughts, retesting in the same pattern with the you end up getting the same positive test results as the powerbalance test.

Saying that a friend of mine with a shoulder problem found it got worse when he put the band on, and cleared when he took it off so I could be terribly wrong.

One things for sure though, placebos do work! so if you believe it will make you faster then sometimes that's all people need so bash away regardless!

Sometimes for performance belief is all that's needed. Jonathon Edwards (WR holder for Triple Jump) was a devout Christian during his career and truly believed that God was helping him jump so far, the stronger his faith became the longer he jumped! It was only in hindsight when he finished his career that he realised he didn't actually believe in god at all and that he psychologically duped himself into believing that a higher power was behind his performance.

I'm off to confession.

Well, hopefully this will put the nail in the head for those who continue to buy these useless products.

They've had to publicly denounce the claims they made in their advertising (in Austrailia)

http://www.powerbalance.com/australia/ca

In our advertising we stated that Power Balance wristbands improved your strength, balance and flexibility.

We admit that there is no credible scientific evidence that supports our claims and therefore we engaged in misleading conduct in breach of s52 of the Trade Practices Act 1974.

If you feel you have been misled by our promotions, we wish to unreservedly apologise and offer a full refund.....

I was given one for christmas and thought the packaging was a little light on literature! So much so that I had to look up what it was all about. Of course google offered told me all the claims that it is a scam so I went to the power balance website. Hmmm still no explainations really about what it does!

After reading all the stuff on the internet about it I've come to the conclusion that if I believe it works, then it works. I'm trying my best to believe that it works but I'll probably take it off soon when christmas is properly over.

There's alot to be gained by positive thinking and I suppose this could possibly be a 'good luck charm' for me.

Still though, the first time out running while wearing it I took 4mins off my usual 5k time. I usually run 5k in 26mins but did it in 22 mins last weekend. The real test will be tomorrow at the waterford winter league(4m - pb 36m9s). I'll let you all know on friday!

I forgot to add that I am a sceptic even though I currently have one on my wrist.