What the Experts say about Power Balance Bracelets

David Bacharach, Human Performance Laboratory Director of the Kinesiology department at St. Cloud University, aren't ruling out Power Balance just yet. Bacharach was approached by Power Balance this last summer to conduct studies using the products. Power Balance provided the hologram cards for each study. Fifteen student subjects in the first and 45 in the second used a force plate platform to test balance and measurement in body sway. Despite conducting both tests, Bacharach says he remains uncertain as to Power Balance's validity. While some subjects did notice a slight improvement, it wasn't enough to be statistically significant.

(Power Balance) certainly has its foundation (in Eastern medicine)," Bacharach said. "An alteration in the body's energy field could have an alteration in balance or perception."


Not only are the results somewhat unclear, many outside factors could threaten any found legitimacy. Some of Power Balance's statistics could, Bacharach agrees, be due to random error or the Placebo effect. Some results could be skewed by the difficulty of measuring the body's meridians (travel routes for energy flow). And some could still be modified by a change in torque (force) on subjects during the skill testing.

Power Balance has remained tight lipped, even to Bacharach, about the company's manufacturing process. According to its site, holograms (which are the core element in the products) are made of Mylar, a film commonly used for imprinting music, movies, pictures, etc. Wizardsports.com says that Power Balance adds the positive bio-resonating frequencies directly onto the holograms. They can be stuck to shoes, helmets, and so on as an alternative to the card, pendant or other products.

Such gaps in information leave Bacharach "skeptical," but, until more tests are conducted, "we won't rule out total merit."

Junior Brent Brevak purchased the Power Balance wristband after being introduced to the idea in communication and journalism professor Barbara Arnold's class. Though Brevak admits that even after searching the Web site outside of class, he still didn't know "what it was or why it works," but was intrigued enough to try it.
"I figured it was worth a shot," he said. "I mean, it was something unique that I'd never heard of."

Though he's only had the band for two weeks and doesn't wear it daily, Brevak says that when he does, he feels more energized and less apt to fall asleep later in the day, in addition to finding it easier to maintain stability.

Brevak isn't totally certain how he feels about Power Balance products, and he does acknowledge that the effects may be self perceived.

"I could see how this is psychological," Brevak said. "I don't wear mine every day, so I can't tell you for sure (if it works). But I say, have an open mind about it. Athletes wouldn't put their name on it if it wasn't somewhat legit."


Brevak is referring to athletes who provided testimonial for Power Balance's Web site. Taylor Holiday of the New York Yankees, Chad Ocho Cinco and Jordan Palmer of the Cincinnati Bengals, and Bryan Petersen of the Florida Marlins, plus pro surfers and snowboarders like Josh Sleigh, Forrest Shearer, Dave Rastovich and Jamie Sterling all back the products.

"The added balance, strength, flexibility, and endurance Power/Balance gives me is incredible," quarterback Jordan Palmer said on the company's site. "But, more than anything, because of these benefits, Power/Balance gives me the extra bit of confidence I need to know that as long as I am wearing the technology, I will be performing at my very best."

While these testimonials may be encouraging to some, the lack of statistical data and manufacturing information leave many hesitant to give an opinion one way or the other.

"Until we know more," Bacharach said, "consider the jury still out."