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Abstract

Abstract: One approach in complementary/alternative medicine posits that manipulations of undocumented body energy patterns (biofields) can improve health and function. Various clinician-delivered interventions focus on biofields, but devices that purportedly correct these are also marketed and claim immediate benefits in a variety of domains. OBJECTIVE: To determine acute effects of ionic bracelet use on physical, cognitive and integrative sports-related tasks. METHODS: 52 healthy young adults participated (9 men and 43 women; 20.2±3.4 years of age; 65.4±11.3 kg; 165±6.9 cm). None reported prior or current use of the product. Each completed 2 series of 6 tasks wearing the ionic and an inert bracelet (counter-balanced presentation order). Bracelets were applied by the investigators behind a shield and covered by a sleeve in a single-blind design. Center of pressure excursion in single leg stance on a dynamic surface assessed posture control; anticipation timing absolute error represented perceptuomotor performance; time difference between 2 Stroop task variants tested concentration; peak vertical jump velocity (m/s) served to test power; maximum force in an isometric dead-lift was used to test strength; and time able to hold a weight (20% of body weight) at chin level served to test endurance. Effects of test order and bracelet type were analyzed independently via paired t-tests (α =.05). RESULTS: An order effect for strength was observed, attributable to a learning effect or an artifact of the number of t-tests applied; no other significant contrast was revealed. CONCLUSION: This ionic bracelet demonstrated no immediate benefits in any of the domains examined.

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