Global InformationPower Balance information
Power Balance is the original brand of hologram bracelets claimed by its manufacturers and vendors to use "holographic technology" to "resonate with and respond to the natural energy field of the body" to increase athletic performance.[1] Numerous independent studies of the device have found it to be no more effective than a placebo for enhancing athletic performance.[2][3][4] As a result, in 2010, the Australian distributor, Power Balance Australia Pty Ltd, was forced by the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC) to retract any previous claims.[5]
The product was originally promoted at trade shows in the beginning of 2006 utilizing applied kinesiology as its most effective sales tool. The bracelets went on sale in 2007 and had several celebrity endorsements.[6] The bracelets became a trend among high school, collegiate, and professional sports teams between 2008 and 2012. This sustained prevalence compelled journalist Darren Rovell to remark that "a growing number of professional sportsmen and their attendants are starting to sound like New Age crystal healers."[7] CNBC Sports named Power Balance Product of the Year in 2010 for its strong sales and celebrity endorsements.[8]
Power Balance headquarters, which was located in Laguna Niguel, California at the time, denied that they made any medical or scientific claims about their products.[9] However, the company had been the focus of significant criticism, particularly for false advertising. The Power Balance bracelet has been described as "like the tooth fairy"[10] and a "very successful marketing scam".[11] Dylan Evans, a lecturer in behavioral science at Cork University's School of Medicine, stated the marketing of Power Balance was impressive: "They have managed to get away without deceiving anyone in the sense of an overt lie. There are no claims on the packaging itself. They don't make any reference at all to any health outcomes. They leave that as an inference that most people will draw."[12]
By the end of 2011 the company was reported to be approaching bankruptcy after allegedly having to settle a $57m lawsuit, in the course of which company executives acknowledged that their past claims to improve strength and balance were not backed by science.[13] It filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on November 22, 2011[13] due to a multitude of lawsuits. As of September 2022[update], the brand has been transferred to a new company, Power Balance Technologies, who still sells Power Balance bands and other items [14][non-primary source needed]
- ^ Neumyer, Scott. "The 25 Biggest Fitness Fads of All Time". Men's Journal. Retrieved 9 January 2022.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
Bricewas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Porcari, John (2011). "Can the Power Balance® Bracelet Improve Balance, Flexibility, Strength, and Power?". J Sports Sci Med. 10 (1): 230–231. PMC 3737916. PMID 24137054.
- ^ Verdan, PJR (2012). "Effect of the Power Balance® Band on Static Balance, Hamstring Flexibility, and Arm Strength in Adults". Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research. 26 (8): 2113–2118. doi:10.1519/JSC.0b013e31823a43ce. PMID 22027848. S2CID 28504125. Retrieved 9 January 2022.
- ^ ACC (23 February 2013). "Power Balance admits no reasonable basis for wristband claims, consumers offered refunds". Australian Competition & Consumer Commission. Retrieved 9 January 2022.
- ^ "Sports stars paid to endorse 'magic' wristband - Video". 3 News. 17 May 2010. Archived from the original on 24 July 2011. Retrieved 4 November 2011.
- ^ Power Balance bracelets: source of energy or just a gimmick?, The Daily Telegraph, 15 October 2010
- ^ Rovell, Darren (2010-12-29). "CNBC's Sports Product Of The Year: Power Balance". www.cnbc.com. Retrieved 2019-02-19.
- ^ Power Balance band is placebo, say expert, BBC News, 22 November 2010
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
Hall2was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ 'Power' wristbands might be the biggest scam , The Age, June 20, 2010
- ^ Rohrer, Finlo (2011-01-07). "What are Power Balance bands?". Retrieved 2019-02-19.
- ^ a b "BANKRUPT?". HuffPost. 2011-11-21. Retrieved 2020-12-08.
- ^ "Shop". www.powerbalance.com. Retrieved 2021-06-22.