On July 11, Serbian professional tennis player Novak Djokovic defeated his Russian opponent Andrey Rublev during the Wimbledon quarterfinals. As he advances to the semifinals on July 14 against Italian Jannik Sinner, he wears a nanotechnology patch which he believes is the biggest secret of his success. However, experts claim that the technology is a form of pseudoscience and is not proven effective.
How Does the Nanotech Patch Work?
Djokovic has been known for using and supporting pseudoscience and wellness trends. He was first seen wearing the nanotechnology patch during the French Open in Paris, France, where he won the 23rd Grand Slam tournament.
Developed by an Italian company, Tao Technologies, the small disk, TaoPatch, resembles a penny and can be applied on the skin with tape or Band-Aid. It claims to improve an athlete's posture, stamina, and recovery without chemicals or medication.
According to co-founder Dmitri Leonov, the TaoPatch contains nanocrystals composed of quantum dots, which convert the user's natural body heat into microscopic light beams. This light is emitted into the body's central nervous system (CNS) to strengthen communication with the rest of the body. This patch's ability is believed to help enhance posture, balance, and movement in as little as four hours. Leonov also claims that some customers reported that the patch helps them eliminate pain, reduce stress, and gain more focus.
Several professional athletes serve as the company's brand ambassador. These include professional boxer Luca Rigoldi, alpine skier Asja Zenere, and athletic trainer Francesco Lo Re.
The company's claims were supported by several studies, such as the research published by the National Library of Medicine, which focuses on the postural control of the subjects. This study divided 30 healthy female participants into two groups: one with an active patch and one with a sham patch. It was found that the group that used active patches swayed less than the control group while standing up. This reveals that such devices that generate ultra-low electromagnetic fields can effectively enhance posture control.
Reaction from the Scientific Community
Experts are questioning the study's credibility that backs the company's claim. Former family physician and pseudoscience debunker Harriet Hall reviewed the mechanics behind the nanopatch and suggested that the explanation was not credible enough, claiming it as pure pseudoscientific gibberish.
Tao also cites multiple studies claiming that the patch can help improve the balance and walking ability of patients with Parkinson's disease and multiple sclerosis (MS). However, neurologist Brandon Beaber discovered that the TaoPatch is not proven to cure MS. In addition, the research studies quoted by Tao are funded by the company, are limited in scope, and are published in lower-quality journals.
Meanwhile, the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) and the French Open officials did not comment if the use of nanopatch violates ATP's anti-doping policy, which discourages the use of any form of a prohibited substance or method.
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