Can a Rubber Wrist Band Improve Performance? Some NFL Athletes Say ‘Yes’
- Posted on February 2, 2011 at 7:38am by
Jonathon M. Seidl
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ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Pro football players can be a hilariously superstitious bunch. Most would wear a necklace strung with garlic bulbs if they believed it repelled pass rushers the way it supposedly does vampires.
That helps explain the latest juju to become this season’s must-have fashion accessory in the NFL — a slim rubber wrist band with holograms the size of small watch faces on either side. Although claims that the bracelet improves the wearer’s balance and power have been widely debunked, try debating that with a guy who stands 6-foot-3 and weighs 318 pounds.
“It relaxes me. I sleep better. And,” Green Bay backup guard Adrian Battles explained with a straight face, “I haven’t fallen down the stairs even once since I started wearing it.”
I didn’t have the stomach to ask Battles how many times he bounced down the steps on his head before he put on the band. But apparently its appeal isn’t just limited to therapeutic powers.
“It’s stylish, too,” Packers teammate Chris Campbell offered. Yet the moment Battles was out of earshot, he pointed to his own head and smiled broadly.
“It’s all up here,” Campbell said. “It doesn’t matter if it works, only whether you believe it does.”
But if it does, the Packers could skip Sunday’s Super Bowl game, scoop up the Lombardi Trophy right now and grab the next flight home. An overwhelming majority of Green Bay’s players sport a bracelet, and several of the mainstays, led by nimble nose tackle B.J. Raji, wear more than one.
The Steelers actually were early adaptors of the power band, but since the craze swept through their locker room nearly two years ago, only a few holdovers still have them on. Plenty of the Steelers do wear something on the their wrists — but those are usually rubber bands to tie off ponytails or cascading dreadlocks.
No matter. Pittsburgh coach Mike Tomlin said he’s not going to lose any sleep over balance imbalance.
“I’ve got a lot more things about Green Bay that worry me,” he said, “than whether they wear those power bands.”
The Steelers’ most notable exception was defensive end Ziggy Hood, though his were nearly lost amid a collection of bracelets covering both wrists. To honor family members, friends, his college (Missouri), fallen teammates and the birth of a current teammate’s son, he sported an array of black, white, yellow and multihued bracelets.
“I took mine off,” teammate Keyaron Fox said, “when I realized I couldn’t jump over walls just because I had one on. Thankfully, Ziggy’s got a lot of us covered.”
Though other pro athletes from the NBA‘s Shaquille O’Neal to soccer’s David Beckham swear by the bands, Power Balance, the California-based company that sells them, admitted recently “there is no credible scientific evidence that supports our claims” of improved balance, strength and flexibility. The acknowledgment came in response to a challenge from the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission and included an agreement by the company’s subsidiary there to give refunds to customers who believe they were bamboozled.
Sports scientists elsewhere have derided them as little more than “good luck charms.” But given athletes’ unending search for any kind of edge, the bracelets popularity should come as little surprise.
Michael Jordan wore his basketball shorts from North Carolina beneath his Chicago Bulls’ version his entire pro career and Yankees slugger Jason Giambi famously donned a thong every time his batting average plummeted. That strip of underwear attained so much status that slumping teammates occasionally tried to borrow it. Even that seems sanitary, though, compared to former NHL center Bruce Gardiner’s habit of dipping the blade of his stick in a toilet before each game for good luck.
No player on either team at media day let slip anything that gross. In fairness, other than the gullible few, even most of those who wore the bracelet accorded it little real power.
“No idea what’s in it,” Pittsburgh’s Aaron Smith said, “and I don’t care. My girl gave it to me and that’s good enough.”
So maybe it figures the closest thing to an argument wasn’t over whether the bracelets worked, but why players who were skeptical bothered to keep them on.
“I got it from my girlfriend,” Packers running back Quinn Johnson said. Sitting alongside him, teammate Dimitri Nance was chuckling. But he, too, was wearing one of the bands.
“So what’s your excuse,” Martin was asked.
“Well,” he paused, breaking into a laugh, “I got this from his girlfriend, too.”
___
Jim Litke is a national sports columnist for The Associated Press. Write to him at jlitke(at)ap.org
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Comments (96)
Deutscher
Posted on February 2, 2011 at 9:54amThis has been going on probably for as long as there have been humans. From amulets in Egypt to relics in Europe to snake oil here, people have sold magic cures for common aliments. At least a product that is ingested might supply some nutrition. But for a product to claim that it affects your physiology from the outside is a leap. If a small magnet could somehow affect your electromagnetic field in such a way as to make you feel better, an MRI would be a treatment and not a diagnostic tool.
Report Post »I should get in on RANDEE’s Red Dot cure I think. I’d rather be the one making the money.
UnPlugged Ed
Posted on February 2, 2011 at 9:53amWhen I saw that “B” on the band, I swear I thought Glenn had a new product. Don’t laugh, I’ll bet he starts selling these to you idiots.
Report Post »Fins_2theright
Posted on February 2, 2011 at 12:34pmTime to unplug again there Ed.
Report Post »UnPlugged Ed
Posted on February 2, 2011 at 1:43pmIf on 9/12 i gave you a list of all the items Glenn sells you would have said …no way, not Glenn.
Report Post »ThomasUSA
Posted on February 2, 2011 at 9:47amWhat a crock… everyone knows that Pyramids, Magnets and Crystals are the way to go! It’s all Mind over “doesn’t matter”
Report Post »Ron Burgundy
Posted on February 2, 2011 at 9:43amDo they have an upgraded version that I can wrap around my ………………. ? When they can enhance the performance of my pillow talk game then I will be a huge fan! Until then I will stick with whiskey and my 4 pack abs …. they work every time (especially when the WIFE is asleep)!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Report Post »blanco
Posted on February 2, 2011 at 10:17amLove your name, love your comment!!!
Report Post »Love Bandit Bestid
Posted on February 2, 2011 at 9:35amKnucklehead jocks.
Report Post »If you told them sleeping with a stuffed teddy bear helps, they’d go for that too.
drawls
Posted on February 2, 2011 at 9:35amIt’s true, they really do work I got one and now I can park my car in a smaller spot
Report Post »Right is right. Left is wrong.
Posted on February 2, 2011 at 9:31amI should start selling a piece of string with a pet rock tied to it and tell you it will make you rich. It will easily pay back its cost! These same athelete will buy it since they are so good with their money!
Report Post »GeauxAlready
Posted on February 2, 2011 at 9:23amNo I use them everyday. Like I said I had neck and back surgery, I fell into a hole and messed up my surgery. Never thought something like this would work but after 3 years of Popping Pill’s for pain management, I was willing to try anything to make the pain stop. About 5 minutes after my friend put the pain chip on my back I could feel the pain in my leg subside and feel my toes for the first time in 3yrs. That was a little over a year ago. I no longer take pills to manage my pain. The technology is cutting edge don’t knock it till you try it…………
Report Post »UnPlugged Ed
Posted on February 2, 2011 at 10:30amGlenn?…..Glenn Beck???
Report Post »UnPlugged Ed
Posted on February 2, 2011 at 10:33amI just did a “Spit Take”
Report Post »Hisemiester
Posted on February 2, 2011 at 11:30amDamn, I said that about Chris Mathews. He fell into a hole and messed up the wiring in his head. Maybe he needs one of these wrist bands. Ha Geau, I’m sorry I just had to do that.
Report Post »Hill Country Patriot
Posted on February 2, 2011 at 9:07amDon’t mean to dis your experience… whatever gets you through the day, more power to ya.
Report Post »Hill Country Patriot
Posted on February 2, 2011 at 9:02amAre you a sales rep? Your opinion may be a bit skewed.
Report Post »Hill Country Patriot
Posted on February 2, 2011 at 9:00amThese devices and those like them (and they have been around for years) are worthless. However, if you are easily duped and incapable of positive thinking, they may work by changing your own mental state.
The power of the human mind, alone, is limitless.
Report Post »Randeecobra
Posted on February 2, 2011 at 8:59amI found that by placing a small red dot, a simple round red sticker will work, on my left forearm, it has to be the left arm, my skills and abilities are improved over 76% percent. I had that improvement studied at Mark Marys College School of Mental Health, a world respected college and they report my findings to be true.
I’m selling the stickers for $19.00 for a package of 15. If you order within the next ten minutes I’ll double your order, just pay separate shipping and handling of $5.99 per package and I’ll rush your order out today.
Be sure to include ” I’m an idiot ” in the subject line of your order.
Report Post »Hill Country Patriot
Posted on February 2, 2011 at 9:05amSign me up!
(hahaha…great!)
Report Post »GEW
Posted on February 2, 2011 at 10:23amYou work for a marketing firm! This is so good. Thanks for the laugh.
Report Post »hypnos
Posted on February 2, 2011 at 8:48amdouble blind studies are the only way to determine an actual effect vs a placebo effect.
Report Post »Deutscher
Posted on February 2, 2011 at 9:08amYeah science!
Report Post »TrulyJen
Posted on February 2, 2011 at 8:35amThink acupuncture. ..and yes that does work, with a qualified practitioner. But I was told that the bracelets or magnetic type bracelets, should only be worn for a short time, not all day. Yes, It is about the electrical field in your body.
Report Post »Mdems
Posted on February 2, 2011 at 12:56pmNot to be rude but have you heard of any double-blind studies regarding acupuncture? It’s been completely disproven along with these bands and magnets. The only argument left is whether it’s ethical to treat people with these hoaxes when there are real proven medications/procedures/exercises that will do far more in the long run vs these short-term placebo effects that wear off, leaving the person where they started or worse.
Someone show me just one double-blinded study in a peer-reviewed scientific journal that backs up ANY of your claims and I‘ll retract everything I’ve said. I‘m willing to admit I’m wrong if I can be shown evidence are you willing to do the same? Be honest with yourself
americanfirst
Posted on February 2, 2011 at 8:32amI don’t see the big deal.
Report Post »In this life – that constant is true…
The truth is usually not available to us – notwithstanding that reality
what matters then is not what is true or not but rather what you choose to believe in and how that belief affects your outcome.
We do it every single day and our lives are the sum total of our beliefs and values.
We spend our lives try to persuade people to look at life from OUR frame of reference rather than accepting theirs.
As for power bands don’t know if they work or not – can’t imagine they would..
that said – if it affects my son‘s performance by fact or suggestion it’s irrelevant to me. It yielded it’s intended result – performance (in this case).
Deutscher
Posted on February 2, 2011 at 9:07amI would say that truth and facts are very important. Opinions are opinions and we all have them. But science gives us a methodology to test an hypothesis. In this case, there is no basis for the claim.
Report Post »Average_JoeMN
Posted on February 2, 2011 at 8:29amJust like every other wrist band sold on late night infomercials, complete fraud.
Report Post »globalwarmer
Posted on February 2, 2011 at 8:22amWhen demonstrating a Power Band to skeptics, the demonstrator will go through several demonstrations using it with and without a Power Band. All of the comparisons have to do with balance, the results of the comparisons are very compelling. It’s not just a rubber band, it’s embedded with a hologram and some kind of microchip (I think), and it’s suppose to work with the electrical field in your body. I’m not an athlete, but have had a severe injury to my foot…and it does improve my balance. I was a skeptic, it’s my nature…but I cannot deny that it has improved my balance. Even if it were psychosomatic, overcoming an injury, or maximizing your sport performance can include mental barriers. It will work as a placebo, and may work as advertised. All that I know is that it has improved my particular situation.
Report Post »pamela kay
Posted on February 2, 2011 at 5:26pmHaving various side effects from my medications, I would try it. If it works and is nothing more than in my mind, so what? I certainly would try it for balance and insomnia. If it doesn’t work, oh well.
Report Post »Beckaj
Posted on February 2, 2011 at 8:10amI got one of these from my kids recently and my little boy asks me why I‘m not wearing it when I’m not. When I wear it, it is for my kids. It seems I’m not alone.
Report Post »emertz8413
Posted on February 2, 2011 at 8:06amThe mind is a terrible thing to waste!!!! hahahahaha
Report Post »ADNIL
Posted on February 2, 2011 at 8:04amThis is simply the placebo effect. And that’s real.
Report Post »TrulyJen
Posted on February 2, 2011 at 8:39amI love the placebo effect excuse. Technically everything you take or do has some sort of placebo effect, have you seen how quickly someone feels better when they get their antibiotics, sometimes minutes after they take a pill.
If a placebo works, it works, you can tell me later it was all in my head.
Report Post »ADNIL
Posted on February 2, 2011 at 10:47amExactly my point.
Report Post »takemout
Posted on February 2, 2011 at 8:03amAaron Smith’s girl gave me one too. She is so sweet.
Report Post »blanco
Posted on February 2, 2011 at 8:00amAthletes—not know for being mental giants!
Report Post »blanco
Posted on February 2, 2011 at 8:06amOOPS, “known”—forgive me, haven’t had my coffee yet!
Report Post »bikerr
Posted on February 2, 2011 at 8:17amThey wear wrist band,you drink coffee. are not both just a mind altering fix?
Report Post »blanco
Posted on February 2, 2011 at 10:16ambikerr—-NO!
Report Post »Ironmaan
Posted on February 2, 2011 at 7:57amThis is hogwash. Just another way for people to spend their hard earned money on crap. The charlatains that are selling this stuff are theives that prey on the ignorant.
Report Post »http://guerillatics.com
Vince Foster
Posted on February 2, 2011 at 7:56am.
Report Post »I guess it depends on where you put it.
.
GEW
Posted on February 2, 2011 at 10:16amlol Vince Foster, thought you were dead.
Report Post »UnPlugged Ed
Posted on February 2, 2011 at 1:45pmI think anyone stupid enough to buy one, should shove it up their butt. Do ya think it would work better up there?
Report Post »ceejsenior
Posted on February 2, 2011 at 7:49amChris Campbell got it right when he said “It doesn’t matter if it works, only whether you believe it does.”
These things are snake oil.
Report Post »cnsrvtvj
Posted on February 2, 2011 at 7:50amI agree CEEJSENIOR. The mind is an amazing thing. It’s the power of positive thinking. What’s really strange about this whole thing is that I got one from Quinn Johnson’s girlfriend too.
http://www.donsmithshow.com – see the Brett Favre interview video
Report Post »MAULEMALL
Posted on February 2, 2011 at 7:59amJust goes to show how weak minded these people are…
Report Post »what4
Posted on February 2, 2011 at 9:10amThey have done pretty well with then, Power Balance is now the name on the Sacramento Kings arena…
Report Post »GEW
Posted on February 2, 2011 at 10:02am…..there’s a sucker born every minute.
Report Post »GEW
Posted on February 2, 2011 at 10:04am…someone is making a damn good profit. This item most likely only cost pennies to make! Love it.
Report Post »GEW
Posted on February 2, 2011 at 10:06ammy mother used to say “I guess if someone was eating crap you would too.” and I say sounds like the NFL is enjoying their lunch.
Report Post »roxee
Posted on February 2, 2011 at 10:15amIf there is a magnet inside perhaps is might raise the vibrational flow of the body’s energy. The human body is an antena ,and can recieve signals from sources.
Report Post »silentwatcher
Posted on February 2, 2011 at 11:50am“if you build it,,,they will come”
Report Post »JESUS-IS-LORD
Posted on February 2, 2011 at 12:08pmyou people believe this nonsense, but yet, you won’t believe in Jesus
anOpinion
Posted on February 2, 2011 at 12:19pmIts snake oil in the sense it does absolutely nothing from a physical point of view, but, if you truly believe it works then it does. Placebo’s can be extremely effective.
Report Post »SUPPLY_SIDE
Posted on February 2, 2011 at 2:08pmIf I push your elbow down and in toward your foot you will remain balanced. If I push your elbow straight down or slightly away from you, you will tip over regardless of your size. It’s a mylar hologram! Glue a Microsoft software hologram to your butt and perform with confidence.
Report Post »What-A-Joke
Posted on February 2, 2011 at 3:44pmI know what makes me relaxe and sleep better………. and it aint a bracelet!
But hey, every man to himself.
http://timnbettyp.blogspot.com/p/club-sea-breeze_03.html
Report Post »TheLascone
Posted on February 2, 2011 at 6:51pmEntrepreneurs are good for America . Some of thir ideas are good … some are bad. It is up to us to recognize the difference.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/23630227@N06/4949310573/in/photostream/
Report Post »fivebyfive
Posted on February 3, 2011 at 10:55pmThe “ATHLETES” at my school were the DUMBEST
Report Post »people I’ve ever met.I guess they don’t change with
age or money.
Hill Country Patriot
Posted on February 2, 2011 at 9:03amAgreed.
Report Post »