by Shelby Becker
This week our CEO John Baize went out to visit the University of Kentucky with Vescio’s Sport Fields. Vescio’s Sports filmed some awesome drone footage of the synthetic turf installation and we couldn’t help but make a short video to share! They also took some great photos of John Baize and our sales rep John Stelzer out on the turf talking with the install crew.
Shelby Becker is a creative content creator and marketing specialist at Act Global. She’s an animal rights activist, avid concert-goer, and scary movie enthusiast. Follow her on LinkedIn .
For more information, contact marketing at sbecker@actglobal.com
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![6 Myths About Synthetic Turf]()
by Shelby Becker
Despite the fact that third-generation turf has been tested for over 20 years, there are still many myths about artificial turf. Many of the following myths originated in the 1960s, when the first primitive types became popular. Since then, the industry has seen rapid technological advances, backed up with scientific studies on the safety and efficacy of synthetic turf. Here are six of the most persistent myths and the truth behind the claims.
Myth 1: Turf is Only for Sports
Photo credit: aLive Coverage
Truth: Turf is used to replace natural grass in yards, pool areas, rooftop decks, commercial and event spaces, and more.
Most people first heard of artificial turf when professional sports leagues started to adopt the surface in the 1960s and 1970s. However, now that the technology behind the surface is even more advanced, artificial turf is also popular in residential and commercial spaces. More and more homeowners are turning to synthetic turf for an easy-to-maintain lawn that looks good every day of the year. Businesses are using turf in landscaping. Airports have increasingly adopted turf as a safer surface technology for safe-zone areas around runways and taxiways.
Myth 2: Turf is Bad for the Environment
Truth: Artificial grass is non-toxic, uses less water and reduces your carbon footprint.
Turf does not use herbicides, pesticides or fertilizers. Unlike traditional grass, turf uses much less water. For example, if a high school installs a 100-yard football field, it could save up to 1 million gallons of water per year just from the reduction in watering. The football field would use up to 20,000 recycled tires for infill, saving the tires from sitting in a landfill. Similarly, switching to a fake grass lawn will save the average homeowner 100,000 gallons of water each year. Synthetic turf also does not need to be mowed, reducing both noxious emissions and grass clippings. The EPA reports that a push mower emits as much pollution in one hour as 11 cars and a riding mower emits as much as 34 cars.
Myth 3: Rubber Infill is Not Safe
Truth: Rubber infill, often referred to as “crumb rubber”, is not toxic.
Crumb rubber is made from pulverized tires. When turf with rubber infill was first introduced, it was heavily scrutinized by health researchers. Hundreds of independent studies have verified that rubber infill does not pose a health risk to people or pets. Studies have focused on toxicities from possible ingestion, inhalation and dermal contact, but no links between rubber infill and cancer or disease have been found. For more information about the safety of rubber infill, visit the Synthetic Turf Council’s research page.
Myth 4: Turf Causes More Injuries
Truth: Turf actually reduces the number of impact injuries.
Studies conducted using the new generation of fake grass demonstrate that there is no greater injury risk from playing sports on synthetic surfaces. Studies from Sweden and Norway which followed players over a four to five year period found the injury rate is no greater on artificial turf. Studies conducted by soccer’s governing body, FIFA, also found little difference in the incidence, nature and cause of injuries observed in games played on turf versus games played on natural grass.
Myth 5: All Turf Looks Alike
Truth: Turf comes in many different varieties, and the quality is dependent on the manufacturer.
Artificial turf comes in a variety of styles for location, performance and budget.
Myth 6: Turf is Too Hot to Play On
Truth: Turf temperature is not too warm to play safely on.
Turf temperature is on average higher than natural grass. Watering the fields can lower the temperature by about 10 degrees Fahrenheit. While old reports suggested that field temperatures could reach 200 degrees, these reports were faulty. The most recent research on field temperatures suggests that at two feet above the surface, the average temperature differential between artificial grass and natural grass is four degrees. At five feet above the surface, the temperature difference is less than one degree. Act Global’s synthetic grass is engineered to withstand extreme temperatures, giving a playing field a lush green look year-round.
Be sure to keep up to date on all of our turf projects and more by following us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
Shelby Becker is a creative content creator and marketing specialist at Act Global. She’s an animal rights activist, avid concert-goer, and scary movie enthusiast. Follow her on LinkedIn .
For more information, contact marketing at sbecker@actglobal.com
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![6 Myths About Synthetic Turf]()
by Shelby Becker
This week the New York Times wrote an in-depth expose on the brains of NFL players. The piece follows a study headed by Dr. Anne McKee, a neurologist from the Boston University School of Medicine. During this 9 year initiative, McKee examined the link between playing professional-level sports (later revised to specifically focus on NFL) and CTE.
CTE, short for chronic traumatic encephalopathy, is a degenerative disease of the brain that can only be diagnosed postpartum via direct tissue examination. The disease is usually caused by repetitive mid-traumatic brain injuries-such as concussions or other blows to the head- and causes symptoms such as erratic behavior, progressive dementia, and suicidal ideation. A large number of the brains donated to the studies were from the families of NFL players who believed their loved ones exhibited symptoms of CTE. Because of this, 110 of the 111 NFL players in this study were found to have CTE.
CTE has been found in all players, but there is a correlation in prevalence and certain positions. McKee found that 44 of the 110 brains were those of linemen, the most common players on the field. These players take non-violent blows on almost every play- the perfect recipe that is thought to cause CTE. The next position with the most confirmed cases was running backs (20), followed by defensive backs (17), linebackers (13), quarterbacks (7), wide receivers (5), tight ends (2), and place-kickers and punters each at 1.
“It is no longer debatable whether or not there is a problem in football — there is a problem,” Dr. McKee said.
At Act Global, we believe that it is our responsibility as a synthetic turf manufacturer to continuously dedicate ourselves to research and development of sports injuries prevention. Athletes, no matter the level they play at, deserve a surface that helps keep them safe during moments of impact and that works to protect them when they need it. We believe that the best moments in sports can only occur when athletes have the confidence to perform; our sports field turf helps do just this.
To read more about this study:
https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2017/07/25/sports/football/nfl-cte.html?smid=tw-nytsports&smtyp=cur
To read about our R&D efforts in artificial turf technology.
http://www.actglobal.com/sports-turf.php
Shelby Becker is a creative content creator and marketing specialist at Act Global. She’s an animal rights activist, avid concert-goer, and scary movie enthusiast. Follow her on LinkedIn .
For more information, contact marketing at sbecker@actglobal.com
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![6 Myths About Synthetic Turf]()
by Shelby Becker
Just 43 days until the kick off of the 2017 NFL season, and that means it’s time for training camps! Most teams are getting ready to head off tomorrow or Friday, and will spend the next few weeks either at their own training facilities or at a major state college.
The purpose of a training camp is not only to prepare the athletes physically for the upcoming season, but mentally as well. The camp lets team members acclimate to each other, as its one of the first major events for the recently recruited rookies.
Cincinnati Bengals fans, on Saturday, August 5th at 3pm, the team will be hosting a “family day” practice at the Paul Brown Stadium. Not only can you check out the team in action, but you can see the stadium in its full glory. A survey ranked the Cincinnati stadium as one of the nation’s top football venues, and with the UBU Speed S-5 field, it’s in the ranks with the Superdome and the Metrodome. Gates open at noon, practice starts at 3pm, and there will be kid-friendly attractions for the family to enjoy!
Some of the attractions include: Inflatables, Face Painters, Balloon Artists, Photo Booth, Ben-Gal Cheer Zone, Play 60 Zone, and Crafts. The first 2,000 kids to each practice will receive a give-away item. Fans in attendance can enter to win a Bengals Prize Pack by posting their pictures on social media and tagging #LetsRoar.
Bengals fans, be sure to check out this awesome event!
Shelby Becker is a creative content creator and marketing specialist at Act Global. She’s an animal rights activist, avid concert-goer, and scary movie enthusiast. Follow her on LinkedIn .
For more information, contact marketing at sbecker@actglobal.com
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![6 Myths About Synthetic Turf]()
by Shelby Becker
The multi-court facility in Panama is giving local residents the opportunity to play sports recreationally and improve their health. The space is available to over 50,000 kids, youth, and adults to encourage physical and mental health.
“This investment is one of the first benefits of the decentralization funds in the Municipality of Panama. The works are part of the project that the Alcaldía of Panamá has to improve public spaces in the 23 corregimientos of our district, and I congratulate the vision and the effort”, said President Varela.
The complex acts as an asset to promote health and wellness within the corregimiento, as well as an asset to the public schools. With the Extended Day being implemented within schools, Belisario Porras gives children productive ways to spend these additional hours. Additionally, the facility aids in building links between their education, their community, and their health while keeping away from the dangers and criminal world of the streets.
The Belisario Porras complex includes a baseball field, a full sized soccer pitch for competitive play, and a mini soccer square for children. Completed with amenities such as bathrooms, changing rooms, and a communal house, Belisario Porras is a full service community resource for the corregimiento. The facility features Act Global’s Xtreme Turf F50, a durable synthetic grass that is engineered for safety and performance. This means that the people of Panama will have a reliable and safe sports complex for years to come.
We applaud the Panama community on their efforts to inspire health and happiness within their neighborhoods.
Shelby Becker is a creative content creator and marketing specialist at Act Global. She’s an animal rights activist, avid concert-goer, and scary movie enthusiast. Follow her on LinkedIn .
For more information, contact marketing at sbecker@actglobal.com
Truth: Turf comes in many different varieties, and the quality is dependent on the manufacturer.
This week the New York Times wrote an in-depth expose on the brains of NFL players. The piece follows a study headed by Dr. Anne McKee, a neurologist from the Boston University School of Medicine. During this 9 year initiative, McKee examined the link between playing professional-level sports (later revised to specifically focus on NFL) and CTE.
The multi-court facility in Panama is giving local residents the opportunity to play sports recreationally and improve their health. The space is available to over 50,000 kids, youth, and adults to encourage physical and mental health.