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
Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research
2012 National Strength and Conditioning Association
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 counterbalance,
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.
My opinion:
To be honest Power Balance Bands do not enhance performance. Strength, flexibility, and balance are only gain through training and wrist bands will not do it for you. You need to put some effort if you want to increase your performance levels. Do not relay on solutions that do not require you to move at all! If people wear the power balance bands as a fashion trend only maybe I can understand why. I'm out.......
