SportsTurf provides current, practical and technical content on issues relevant to sports turf managers, including facilities managers. Most readers are athletic field managers from the professional level through parks and recreation, universities.
Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/533607
FIELD SCIENCE 14 SportsTurf | July 2015 www.sportsturfonline.com FIELD SAFETY RESEARCH UPDATES Injury Research. There are now more than 25 studies comparing injury rates on infill synthetic turf and natural turf, including eight specifically for football. The majority of the football-specific studies reported slightly higher injury rates on synthetic turf compared to natural turf. Soccer-specific studies generally found a similar injury rate on both surfaces. Our Center for Sports Surface Research at Penn State's website (ssrc.psu.edu) includes links to each of these studies. While the playing surface tends to receive the most attention and blame for lower extremity injuries, researchers are now find- ing that shoe type can also be a major contributor to injury. For example, aggressive cleat patterns often produce high rotational traction, which can prevent the shoe from releasing from the playing surface during pivoting maneuvers. As the shoe "sticks" in the turf, stresses are transferred to the lower extremities, thus increasing the risk of injury. At Penn State, we have tested rotational traction levels of more than 40 shoes on both natural and synthetic turf. While we have seen only minimal differences between natural and synthetic turf, the differences between shoes are quite large. Although there is still not enough information to say what a "safe" traction level is, comparisons among shoes can be made and used to make informed decisions. Our traction database is available on our website: http://plantscience.psu.edu/research/ centers/ssrc/traction-database Surface Temperature on Synthetic Turf. At the Center for Sports Surface Research, we have yet to test any synthetic turf configura- tion that can effectively cool synthetic turf temperatures for the length of a typical game while also being able to withstand field use and environmental conditions. We have tested various mate- rials that retain water for extended periods of time; however, each material failed under simulated field use and/or ultraviolet light or would be considered unplayable. Our website includes a page dedicated to surface temperature research. http://plantscience. psu.edu/research/centers/ssrc/research/synthetic-turf-surface- temperature. On this page, you will find links to studies we have conducted as well as links to other published studies related to surface temperatures on synthetic turf. Health and Environmental Impacts of Synthetic Turf. Recent news reports have increased the attention on the health and envi- ronmental impacts of synthetic turf. A large number of studies related to these issues have been conducted by universities and government agencies. Our website provides links to each of these studies and, according to feedback we have received, field manag- ers have found this to be a valuable resource when questioned by concerned parents, administrators, etc. http://plantscience.psu. edu/research/centers/ssrc/research/synthetic-turf-health ■ ST Tom Serensits is manager of Penn State's Center for Sports Surface Research; Dr. Andy McNitt is professor of soil science – turfgrass and Director of the Center for Sports Surface Research, as well as the coordinator for Penn State's turfgrass science undergraduate program. Tom and Andy are also co-owners of A. McNitt & SerenSoil Testing, LLC