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![The Safety of Synthetic Sports Field Turf]()
by Shelby Becker
The first iterations of artificial turf were invented in 1964, and was taken to new heights after it was installed at the Houston Astrodome in 1966. In the early days of the industry, synthetic turf saved facilities money and time. More than 50 years later, artificial turf has evolved exponentially. Not only does it look and feel even more like natural grass than ever before, but health and safety experts have given synthetic sports field turf high marks.
Injury Rates
Sports turf fields are made with materials that are designed with the safety of the athlete in mind. Modern turf is designed to meet high standards for traction, rotation, slip resistant, surface abrasion and stability. This includes taking into account the requirements of major sports leagues and federations around the world.
There have been many studies confirming the safety of synthetic grass for athletes. Three recent long-term studies by research teams in Norway and Sweden compared acute injuries on synthetic turf and natural grass. The studies considered the location, type and severity of injuries sustained by players during a four to five year period. Since players and coaches are most concerned with injuries affecting major joints like knees and ankles, in addition to concussions, the research carefully evaluated strains, tears, fractures and concussion. The research concluded that the risk of playing on synthetic sports turf was no greater than the risk of playing on natural grass.
Soccer’s governing body, FIFA asked its Medical Assessment and Research Centre to examine the incidence and severity of injuries sustained on synthetic sports turf and real grass during two FIFA Under-17 World Championships. After analyzing these two global events, FIFA concluded “The research showed that there was very little difference in the incidence, nature and causes of injuries observed during games played on artificial turf compared with those played on grass.”
A similar study by the NCAA among schools in America compared injury rates between natural and artificial grass found the injury rate was slightly lower on synthetic turf (3.5%) than it was on natural grass (4.4%).
Playing Time
Synthetic turf fields increase playing and practice time since athletes can train daily, without concern about whether. The fields do not degrade in wind, rain or snow, which makes for a more stable playing surface. The fields are also consistent season after season.
Sports field turf managers are able to utilize synthetic fields for 3,000 hours a year without rest, whereas natural fields can only be used for around 20 hours a week, which amounts to 680 hours a year.
Crumb Rubber
Since the early 21st century, may artificial turf surfaces contain crumb rubber, which are tiny black crumbs made from pulverized car tires. When poured between the grass blades, this rubber infill adds bounce and cushioning for athletes, which help prevent serious injuries. According to the Synthetic Turf Council, more than 11,000 synthetic turf sports fields are in use in the U.S, many with crumb rubber. Numerous studies have found no elevated health risks from crumb rubber, meaning there is no evidence that crumb rubber is harmful to athletes.
Suitability for Sports
Sports field turf is suitable for any kind of sport. Many facilities already use sports field turf for putting greens and driving ranges. Baseball and football fields are hardier and more versatile when artificial grass is used. Artificial turf is an alternative for tennis facilities that want to offer players a grass surface without the taxing upkeep of grass court tennis. Many track and field events now take place on a synthetic grass infield. Playgrounds and multi-purpose centers are also using sports turf effectively.
Benefits of Sports Field Turf
- The artificial grass is visually appealing, it looks green all the time.
- It is suitable in all kinds of weather, with no additional maintenance needed.
- It is durable and can last for many years.
- Artificial grass benefits the environment by saving water and reducing the use of harmful pesticides and fertilizers.
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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![The Safety of Synthetic Sports Field Turf]()
by Shelby Becker
Work on Mount Dora Christian Academy’s new football field featuring artificial grass is kicking off.
Mount Dora Christian Academy is a preschool through secondary education school that strives to help students strengthen their religious relationships, build a foundation of moral character, and achieve academic success. Since 1945, the school has work to develop well rounded learners in a positive community with diverse options of extracurricular sports teams, clubs, and volunteer opportunities. Mount Dora focuses on providing students with an abundant amount of resources so that they can excel in all aspects of their education. We’re excited to work with an academy that works hard to give back to the community and values such high moral character.
Act Global is installing a new football field for the academy that will have versatility to allow for practices by the softball and baseball teams as needed. The pitch will feature our BDX 60 with Green Play, a surface that has been engineered with specific components to keep players safe. We wanted to provide the Bulldogs with a surface that will give them the confidence they need to excel on the field, and our Xtreme Turf line will do just that.
Be sure to keep up to date on this project and more by following us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
Learn more about our Xtreme Turf line.
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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![The Safety of Synthetic Sports Field 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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![The Safety of Synthetic Sports Field Turf]()
by Shelby Becker
Since the addition of S5 synthetic turf to Rose Park, the university’s baseball team has played over 150 games at the facility.
The Bruins are a Division 1 baseball team located in Nashville, Tennessee. Since their founding in 1954, the team has grown to excel both on and off the field. In fact, the team was just recognized as part of the 2016-17 American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA) Academic Honor Roll. As one of only 38 Division 1 teams, the Bruins were acknowledged for their combined cumulative GPA of over a 3.0. We at Act Global commend the coaches and athletes for their efforts for success in the classroom.
Their home stadium, Rose Park, is part of Nashville’s historic Edgehill Civil War battleground area and serves as a community facility. The Bruins upgraded their field to feature S5-R synthetic turf in October of 2011. Through excellent coaching (and the confidence that comes with an unparalleled new playing surface), the team went on to win the Atlantic Sun Conference Championship the following season. Since 2011, the team has always placed within the top 9 of their conference.
We congratulate the Belmont Bruins on their ABCA Academic Honor Roll standing, and can’t wait to hear about the many future accomplishments of the team!
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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![The Safety of Synthetic Sports Field 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
The first iterations of artificial turf were invented in 1964, and was taken to new heights after it was installed at the Houston Astrodome in 1966. In the early days of the industry, synthetic turf saved facilities money and time. More than 50 years later, artificial turf has evolved exponentially. Not only does it look and feel even more like natural grass than ever before, but health and safety experts have given synthetic sports field turf high marks.
Mount Dora Christian Academy is a preschool through secondary education school that strives to help students strengthen their religious relationships, build a foundation of moral character, and achieve academic success. Since 1945, the school has work to develop well rounded learners in a positive community with diverse options of extracurricular sports teams, clubs, and volunteer opportunities. Mount Dora focuses on providing students with an abundant amount of resources so that they can excel in all aspects of their education. We’re excited to work with an academy that works hard to give back to the community and values such high moral character.
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.