Making The Grade At The MSU Field Testing Project.
Michigan State University Study on Synthetic Turf Surfaces
According to the results of a year-long Michigan State University study, which was selected for presentation at the North American Congress on Biomechanics Conference in Ann Arbor, Michigan, Astroturf’s GameDay Grass 3D most closely replicated natural grass in a comparison of 16 types of synthetic and natural sports turf, based on the torque, force and friction generated by cleated athletic shoes.
The study, funded by the NFL Charities Foundation, evaluated the potential impact of football playing surfaces on lower extremity injuries caused by excessive torque, or the rotational friction produced when cleated shoes dig into the field.
In the Michigan State study, the GameDay Grass 3D system with all-rubber infill had the lowest average torque of all synthetic turf systems tested, second only to natural grass. Researchers credited the fiber structure of the GameDay Grass 3D system, the only fiber structure containing a Root Zone – a simulated thatch layer at the base of the system – with the low level of frictional resistance. Researchers also noted that the Root Zone reduces the amount of infill required for a stable system and may reduce compaction of the infill layer.
The high amount of torsional friction generated in high-performance sports creates concentrated force that is transmitted to vulnerable ankle and knee joints, precipitating injuries. The Michigan State research team used 10 pairs of cleated football shoes in conducting five trials on 16 separate playing surfaces, for a total of 800 samples. The study measured the mean peak torque produced by various shoe/surface interfaces.
The research summary indicated that the highest mean torque was produced by the Field Turf system, a result attributed to the amount of space, or gauge length, between the rows of fibers. According to the study, the greater gauge length in the Field Turf system (3/4” versus 3/8” in all other systems tested) may result in deeper cleat penetration into the infill and, in the case of densely compacted infill, higher torque.
The North American Congress on Biomechanics (NACOB) is the combined annual meetings of the American Society of Biomechanics and the Canadian Society for Biomechanics. It is held jointly every six years to promote the exchange of ideas and foster new collaborations in the field of biomechanics.
Please see the attached abstract of the year-long study.