Wristband claims holographic health boost

David Beckham, Leonardo DiCaprio, Cristiano Ronaldo and even the Bay of Plenty Steamers wear them.
And now an increasing number of ordinary people in the Bay, from athletes to the elderly, are getting into a craze for Power Balance wristbands.
The silicone bands contain a hologram, which the manufacturers claim works with the body's natural energy field to enhance balance, strength and flexibility.
While sceptics are critical of the bands, there's no shortage of believers.
The bands are sold in the Bay from a variety of health, sports, surf, golf and dive shops and pharmacies, and retailers say they're flying out the door, even at a cost of $89.
Personal trainer Luis Moresco has been wearing a Power Balance band since Christmas.
The keen volleyball player admitted he was sceptical to begin with and did not understand how the band could help him.
But after agreeing to trial it for a week, he's now a convert.
"The first thing [I noticed] was recovery from stress and work - my energy recovery is better.
"Straight away I felt like my energy was getting heaps better, my balance and control."
Mr Moresco said the bands were popular in spin classes.
"In terms of cycling, you need to get control in terms of legs and core muscles.
"It's really good for any sort of [activity] involving balance and focus, [in which you need] control of the core. I recommend it for anybody."
Mr Moresco even wears his band to sleep - he said it helped him relax and he woke up feeling "recharged".
Acting general manager of Bodyzone gym in Tauranga, Kay Gerbich, said the wristbands had been extremely popular since they appeared at the gym about four months ago. "We have found a lot of people are wearing them. We haven't had any negative feedback about them.
"I think people are curious. You want to try something that's new if you think it could give you an edge on your fitness or training. I wear one. I think it's something you have to try for yourself. Some people find they get a really good response in water sports."
Jude Randell, owner of the Bethlehem Health and Tea Shop, said the bands were popular with elderly people struggling with balance.
"They are really good for the older people who are probably not quite so steady on their feet any more.
"We also have the younger people who are buying them for sports, cyclists and runners and rowers, and all sorts of sports."
Not everyone agrees with the effectiveness of the bands, which have been rubbished by the Australian Skeptics group and scientists and academics internationally.
Tauranga-based medical researcher Professor Shaun Holt believed there could be a placebo or "lucky charm effect" in wearing the bands.
"Athletes are a very superstitious bunch. They would do anything to get a one or two per cent advantage.
"There's nothing lost if their competitors are wearing one - you don't want to be left out.
"You get high-profile people wearing them and members of the public think, 'If it's good enough for them, it's good enough for me'."
But he was not convinced the bands offered any benefits. He believed they were a craze that would soon die out.
"It amazes me that otherwise-intelligent people think that wearing a bracelet can give health benefits.
"There's not a jot of science or research that will support them. It's not even really debatable in a scientific sense.
"People put one on and because they spent a lot of money, they feel they ought to be better.
"It's a waste of money - the people who invented them are making millions of dollars. I recommend people don't waste their money."
The Power Balance website describes the product as "performance technology".
It says the bands are based on the idea of "optimising the body's natural energy flow, similar to concepts behind many Eastern philosophies".
"The hologram in Power Balance is designed to resonate with and respond to the natural energy field of the body."