SYNTHETIC SURFACES
Research looks into boot and ball behaviour on sports surfaces
systems – due to the longer grass-like synthetic fibres and rubber infill that takes studs and offers a less abrasive surface when players slide or fall. However, manufacturers are currently pushing the
bounderies by looking at innovative infills (including natural materials), or no infill at all, by utilising new synthetic yarn fibre technologies and carpet-making systems to provide good fibre, stability and durability. So far, these products have met with mixed success, but many novel innovations are just around the corner. Several papers reviewed de- velopments in natural turf and artificial turf to meet the demands of increased durability and climate change. Currently, elite level field hockey is played on water-
based surfaces, but these present a sustainability issue with regard to water usage. Consequently the Internation-
can significantly increase life expectancy, whereas poor maintenance will considerably reduce it. To date, the ben- efits of maintenance have been experience-based and developed over many years of practical knowledge. How- ever, several papers presented at the conference illustrated the influence of maintenance with good-quality research data to help reinforce the known benefits.
Safety:
The safety of a sport surface is of vast importance, due to the massive differences between users. What is safe for one person might be unsafe for another. Therefore, the sport surface needs to be designed to accommodate a range of user groups and provide a safe environment in which to perform. Injury can be acute via a sudden impact with the surface, or chronic as a result of repeated use over a long period of time. During the conference, several papers used injury monitoring methodologies to highlight the risk associated with playing sport on different surfaces and subsequently assessed safety.
Often little or no attention is given to the ongoing performance of the playing surface. Aftercare is essential to ensure it performs to the required standard
al Hockey Federation (FIH) and leading manufacturers are looking into water-free surfaces and water-efficient systems as synthetic yarn fibre and backing technologies continue to improve.
Performance Testing:
Any new development needs to meet the performance criteria set out by the governing bodies of each sport. For this, a series of mechanical test methods are used, some rep- licating player surface interaction in a very simplistic way. The efficacy of these methods were discussed and several papers were presented on their use. In particular, many pa- pers focused on the interface between the sport shoe and surface in terms of friction or grip. In addition, the validity of test methods was discussed and their corresponding rel- evance to in-game action, which is key to their approval.
Maintenance:
All too often little or no attention is given to the ongoing performance of the playing surface. The main focus tends to be on the initial capital investment and specification, however, the need for ongoing aftercare is essential to en- sure the surface performs to the required standard for the duration of its anticipated life. Good-quality maintenance
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In Summary:
There are many ongoing questions and international research projects linked to sport surfaces. Some are focused specifically on this area and many more on peripheral but relevant areas – such as enhanced shoe design or all-weather ball design. Those projects focused on surfaces are addressing
questions regarding their science of behaviour, how studded boots interact to provide grip (often related to injury risk in some way), the differences in behaviour and response to play between artificial and natural turf, building up injury statistics, developing maintenance regimes and aspects of quality assurance and improving the suite of mechanical play-performance tests in use (to better replicate human motion/loading etc). The con- ference covered many of these topics with contributors from around the world. The SportSURF network has a membership of 358
from many countries around the world. Membership is open to anyone with an interest in sport surfaces and it is free to join. Members receive discounted entry to Sport- SURF events and are kept informed of research in the area via updates and newsletters. More information can be found at
http://sportsurf.lboro.ac.uk. ●
Issue 2 2010 © cybertrek 2010
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