ART - Study on Synthetic Turf Surfa

The document discusses a year-long study conducted by Michigan State University on synthetic turf surfaces used in sports. The study aimed to evaluate the impact of different playing surfaces on lower extremity injuries caused by excessive torque. The study compared 16 types of synthetic and natural sports turf based on the torque, force, and friction generated by cleated athletic shoes. The AstroTurf® GameDay Grass™ 3D system with all-rubber infill was found to closely replicate natural grass and had the lowest average torque among synthetic turf systems tested. The researchers attributed this to the fiber structure of the system, which included a simulated thatch layer called the Root Zone®. The Root Zone® also reduced the amount of infill required and may reduce compaction. The study measured the mean peak torque produced by various shoe/surface interfaces using 10 pairs of cleated football shoes and 16 separate playing surfaces. The findings suggest that the high torsional friction generated in high-performance sports can lead to injuries in ankle and knee joints.