An even greater increase in injuries was found by researchers who studied professional male soccer players over the course of 4 Major League Soccer seasons.6They found that the rate of Achilles injury was twice as high on turf as it was grass and rate ankle fracture was 6 times as high, on turf compared to natural grass. With head injuries and concussions being the major. 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Dragoo JL, Braun HJ, Durham JL, Chen MR, Harris AHS. Injury Risks Synthetic Turf Dangerous Temperatures Concussions Turf Burn Natural Grass Inconsistent ground 7. In order to determine if there is a real difference between the number of head-to-surface concussions on artificial turf and natural grass, we contacted Dr. Michael C. Meyers, an associate professor in Idaho State Universitys Department of Sport Science and Physical Education. YOU SHOULD NOT RELY ON THIS INFORMATION AS A SUBSTITUTE FOR, NOR DOES IT REPLACE, PROFESSIONAL MEDICAL ADVICE, DIAGNOSIS, OR TREATMENT. One possible solution to the natural grass problems that appear to plague Soldier Field is to make the change to artificial turf. I tend to side with the NFL and NCAA data. In a helmet droptest - study directly comparing artificial turf fields with both cryo and thermoplastic infill and natural turf at an elite college sports program, artificial performed systems (this is an observation, not a fact necessarily) Children and Athletes at Play on Toxic Turf and Playgrounds. Copyright 2022 Dr. David Geier Enterprises, LLC, Dr. David Geiers Amazon Influencer store, Trends in skiing and snowboarding injuries. If an artificial turf field is causing concussions, Meyers says, it is the result of either uneven infill caused by poor maintenance or a low infill weight. Turf vs. Grass. Additionally Meyers and Barnhill studied eight high schools over five seasons. Back to top. In an article from the county announcing the board's decision to install a new synthetic turf, one claim in particular stands out from a concussionprevention perspective. October 08, 2022 2 min read Source/Disclosures Source: Chun IK, et al. When they isolated infill turf surfaces, such as FieldTurf, the ACL injury rate was significantly higher than on natural grass. Chicago sports fans are well aware of the complaints that Bears players and opponents have made over the years about the grass conditions at Soldier Field, responsibility for which is some split between the owners of the field (the Chicago Park District) and its tenant (the Chicago Bears). The hardness of a field is measured on a Gmax rating scale; for instance, professionally maintained natural grass fields, like Soldier Field, should have a Gmax score of 90 to 110 Gs (and possibly lower). In an era that has seen numerous lawsuits filed against parties that have any potential involvement with collisions that are traditionally associated with concussion e.g., claims against helmet manufacturer Riddell this assertion includes a significant amount of confidence. The studyindicatesan increased risk of knee injuries for football players who play on turf. There are reasons for the controversy, and it is important to look at how these fields affect the health of those who use them. About Synthetic Turf. That's a whole lot of grass. Athletes playing at lower levels experienced anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears 1.6 times more often on turf than they did on the grass. According to the counties'website, the shockabsorbing padding "has been proven to reduce the number and severity of concussions. Previous research has found a greater risk of lower-body injuries on turf and worries about rubber pellets frequently found on turf fields being carcinogenic have previously made waves, but there is little prior research done on how playing surfaces may affect head trauma. Among the 30 NFL stadiums, 14 have turf, including MetLife Stadium and SoFi Stadium, the respective shared home stadiums for the New York Giants and New York Jets and the Los Angeles Chargers and Los Angeles Rams. Artificial turf is growing increasingly popular across the country: there are already over 16,000 synthetic grass fields in the United States, with up to 1500 new ones being developed each year. Am J Sports Med 2012;40(5):990-995. Artificial turf is a synthetic surface that is made to look like real grass. The authors found an increased rate of ACL injury in football athletes playing on artificial turf compared with natural grass, but no increased risk in soccer. France, Artificial Turf Companies, Artificial Sports Turf Supplies - FieldTurf. The research found a significantly greater deceleration impact on turf than on grass, the papers authors Nathaniel Villanueva and Ian Chun wrote in an abstract of the research published Friday and presented at an American Academy of Pediatrics conference this weekend. The players credit their conditioning and staying hydrated as keys to playing on it. Foudy, Julie. Steffen, K., Andersen, T. E., & Bahr, R. Risk of injury on artificial turf and natural grass in young female football players. Results Initial screening generated 42 publications, with 12 meeting criteria for inclusion. Incidence, Mechanisms, and Severity of Game-Related College Football Injuries on FieldTurf Versus Natural Grass: A 3-Year Prospective Study. It means a lot. Sometimes a shock-absorbing pad is placed on top of the base. "There may be an increased rate of . Guskiewicz, K. M., Weaver, N. L., Padua, D. A., & Garrett, W. E., Jr. JC Tretter, the president of the NFL players union, called for the league to make all playing surfaces natural grass in a 2020 essay. Another common injury that occurs on artificial turf is commonly known as turf burn. It is an abrasion injury that occurs from sliding contact with the turf. Do NFL players prefer grass or turf? The turf industry estimates that there are more than 11,000 artificial turf fields around the country.2. Plus it is possible that the grass conditions at high schools arent as good (especially at the end of a season) as those of NFL and NCAA fields. There was a chunk of grass stuck to the side of his helmet. The first-time cost of artificial grass ranges from $5-$20 per square foot. A petition for all NFL teams to install grass playing surfaces took off in February after then Rams receiver Odell Beckham Jr. tore his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in the Super Bowl at SoFi Stadium, with stars like the San Francisco 49ers Joey Bosa backing the measure. The study looking at high school football might be a good one, but they only looked at eight high schools and not all NFL teams or NCAA schools. Jastifer, J. R., McNitt, A. S., Mack, C. D., Kent, R. W., McCullough, K. A., Coughlin, M. J., & Anderson, R. B. The study comes at a particularly crucial moment in concussion discourse, as the NFL players union conducts an investigation into the leagues handling of Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoas health after Tagovailoa suffered a gruesome head and neck injury last week when thrown to Paycor Stadiums artificial turf, four days after suffering a different potential head injury under disputed circumstances. ADD TOPIC TO EMAIL ALERTS Receive Practicing baseball is best on indoor turf because it allows players to practice running to catch pop flies without worrying about tearing up the field. However, the response to this issue is very slow and the lack of focus on surfaces is unfathomable. I looked for studies comparing knee injuries as a whole that occurred in football on FieldTurf and natural grass. 50%. Incidence, Causes, and Severity of High School Football Injuries on FieldTurf Versus Natural Grass: A 5-Year Prospective Study. The new padding system, however, allows synthetic turf fields to register around 90 to 100 Gs, figures that are in line with natural grass. Safety should be number one. The report showed non-contact knee injuries happened 32% more often on turf. 7 The study looked at over 17,549 football players over the course of 3 years, 888 of whom reported having at least one concussion. "Turf is hotter, but our preseason is end of August so when you're being run into the ground practicing under the sun it's going to be hot anywhere you are. The difference was even greaterforPCL tears:3.3 tears per 10,000 competition exposures on turf compared to 1.1 per 10,000 on grass. They found that posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) tears occurred almost 3 times as often on turf than on grass. The company also offers infill at 6 p./sq.ft., while many other surface manufacturers use weights of 5.9 p./sq.ft. How 2-macroglobulin appears to stop cartilage breakdown and improve arthritis, 334. Since his question involves a topic that requires a complex explanation, I am breaking my answer up into a blog post and a discussion during the In the Zone segment of Episode 74 of The Dr. David Geier Show. Study concluded: NCAA soccer players who practice on natural grass have increased risk of ACL injury (8.67 times more likely) compared with the risk of those practicing on an artificial surface, regardless of sex or NCAA division of play. Turf maintenance can be a contributing factor in injury rates. Of the more than 3 million (3,009,205) athlete exposures and 2,460 knee injuries reported from 2004 to 2014 (1389 MCL, 522 ACL, 269 lateral meniscal, 164 media meniscal and 116 PCL), those that occurred on artificial turf had a little more than double the risk of PCL injury than those that occurred on natural grass (RR = 2.94; 95% CI, 1.61-5.68). You make the play but after the adrenaline and excitement wears off you notice blood trickling down your skin with a huge turf burn throbbing on that spot. Not only are players concerned about major ligament tears and concussions, but they also speak to the increased stress on the body. There is additional data available to help you learn about concussion risk on artificial turf compared to other surfaces. Synthetic Turf Council.com. Turf fields typically consist of a layer of concrete followed by the artificial grass and then crumb rubber designed to cushion the impact of falls. Therefore, any measure that can help reduce the risks and severity that impacts with the field can have on athletes'heads is likely worth the investment. Pro/Cons Turf vs. Grass Current Donation Goals. The content on this site is for informational purposes only and is not intended to provide medical advice, which should be obtained from a medical professional. It would be too much for one blog post, so I am going to break up my thoughts. The amount of infill can vary between fields. FieldTurf offers the heaviest weighted infill system on the market, at 9.2 p/sq.ft. There is no set rule for real grass versus artificial turf, so it is up to each NFL stadium or football team to decide, but recent studies show that 58% more injuries happen on artificial turf than on real grass. But when they showed up in town, there was a huge name - perhaps the biggest . NFL stars started a petition to ban artificial turf in football after Odell Beckham's Super Bowl injury (Business Insider), NFL Players Union Ousts Doctor Who Cleared Tagovailoa To Play (Forbes), This is a BETA experience. Injuries are not the only risks associated with artificial turf. Much of the concern about concussions in . Any type of head injury can be life-threatening and is not to be taken lightly., Another recent study, this one conducted by researchers at the University of Toronto and involving game-day injuries to players in the National Football League, supports Meyers work. When they isolated infill turf surfaces, such as FieldTurf, the ACL injury rate was significantly higher than on natural grass. Concussions, which the NFL alongside the NFLPA has implemented new protocols for this season, and the turf vs. grass debate a hot-button topic that has garnered a lot of press with players . Consequently, certain grass and turf fields have higher G-max values, which lead to a higher rate of concussions and other contact injuries. When individual anatomic injury locations were analyzed, the greatest proportion of articles reported a higher foot and ankle injury rate on artificial turf compared with natural grass, both with old-generation (3/4 articles) and new-generation (9/19 articles) turf. 8 v3ryt1r3d Packers 21 days ago Researchers concluded that "risk of concussion was not associated with playing surface," adding that there is limited evidence linking surface type to upper extremity injuries. There were 142 ACL tears on turf in Divisions 2 and 3 compared to 111 on natural grass despite athletes spending more time on grass. Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson was ruled out with a concussion after taking a big hit early in the fourth quarter Sunday against Kansas City. In many cases, injury rates are greater on turf. While grass might seem like the natural choice, turf actually has many environmental benefits over grass. Artificial turf can hold up to heavy use and weather conditions and maintain its look and consistency. Half of NFL teams play their home games on synthetic turf. Calloway, S. P., Hardin, D. M., Crawford, M. D., Hardin, J. M., Lemak, L. J., Giza, E., Forsythe, B., Lu, Y., Patel, B. H., Osbahr, D. C., Gerhardt, M. B., Mandelbaum, B. R., & Baldwin, W. W. Injury Surveillance in Major League Soccer: A 4-Year Comparison of Injury on Natural Grass Versus Artificial Turf Field. Attention last week in the NFL focused on concussion protocols in the wake of the Tua Tagovailoa concussion situation, but the league also doubled down on a charged player health and safety. Let's take a closer look at each type to see what makes each one unique. Additionally, researchers are concerned that artificial turf systems may lead to an increase in head injuries like concussion due to the surface hardness of the material under high heat. . You slide right onto the ground to get the ball, dive for the catch, lunge to make the tackle. Half of NFL teams play their home games on artificial turf. Inglewood, CA - September 18: Offensive tackle Tremayne Anchrum Jr. #72 of the Los Angeles Rams is helped off the field after a . THE CONTENT DOES NOT AND IS NOT INTENDED TO CONVEY MEDICAL ADVICE AND DOES NOT CONSTITUTE THE PRACTICE OF MEDICINE. So I at least take these studies to show that ACL injury rates are at least as high if not actually higher on FieldTurf than on natural grass. Turf is specifically designed to look like grass, so it's safe to say the aesthetics are comparable. Dr. David Geier is an orthopedic surgeon and sports medicine specialist in Charleston, South Carolina and Charlotte, North Carolina. Alas, not enough light made it to the playing surface, the grass died, and Astroturf was born." (1) There has been a . Due to a large number of questions I have received over the years asking about products for health, injuries, performance, and other areas of sports, exercise, work and life, I have created an Amazon Influencer page. Katerina Kerska, National Center for Health Research. Disclosures: The authors report no relevant financial disclosures. Second, the data presented is simply misleading. To learn more about the harms associated with turf, you can check out some of our related articles listed below. There are some people that say that you have to play football on grass and some say that a turf soccer field is just as good as any. Many studies have examined injury rates on artificial turf versus grass. College Men's & Women's Soccer Artificial Turf VS Natural Grass. Turf fields typically consist of a layer of concrete followed by the artificial grass and then crumb rubber designed to cushion the impact of falls. Why? Most are appalled over this decision to use synthetic turf instead of natural grass, the standard in most FIFA international matches. Upon proper installation, a synthetic turf field with an underlying padded layer allows the playing surface to replicate optimal natural turf fields in terms of hardness. It can obviously be dangerous to play on artificial turf fields when it gets this hot. Much more data on all of these factors in the next few years should help us answer these questions. 88.4 % of the remaining concussions occurred during player-to-player contact. In an ongoing annual study tracking the number of concussions high school football players suffered on natural and synthetic surfaces over 12 years, Idaho State University researcher Dr. Michael Meyers indicates that: 11.6 % of all concussions are the result of player-to-surface contact. First, its important to note the disclosure in the white paper that the Concussion Legacy Foundation receives funding from Brock International, a company that manufactures shock pads for artificial turf. Summers are getting hotter, and people are watering their lawns more and . The EU Will Allow 5G UseIncluding PhonesOn Flights In 2023. An exposure was defined as1 athleteparticipating in a game or practice,regardless of time played. Dragoo reports ONLY on ACL injuries in football (men only). In comparison to the traditional grass surface, players perceive an . A nationwide study looked at rates of concussion in both collegiate and high school football players. New synthetic surfaces have improved shock-absorbing properties and may be more forgiving.. Concussions are an important concern for athletes in a variety of sports. Aesthetics. The rate ratio (RR) of head injury and concussion was less on artificial turf compared with natural grass (RR=0.89, 95% CI 0.77 to 1.04) as was the rate ratio of concussion only (RR=0.72, 95% CI 0.58 to 0.89). Im going to be fair to both sides of the issue.. In an article from the county announcing the board's decision to install a new synthetic turf, one claim in particular stands out from a concussion-prevention perspective. -Concussion type injuries are less common from hitting the turf in a helmet as opposed to a hard ground in November. An article in The New York Times (Concussion Report Highlights Field Maintenance, Dec. 29) linked concussions in football players to poorly maintained fields. Among high school athletes in the US, about 20 per cent of concussions result . Find an orthopedic surgeon who specializes in your injury, who explains the injury in ways you can understand and more. Over time, synthetic fields lose the amount of crumb rubber infill that comes with original installation. I cant even say this is a natural grass problem. Artificial turf can get extremely hot on sunny days. Thats how many NFL teams play their home games on artificial turf fields, according to NBC Sports. Prior to creation and use of shockabsorbing pads under synthetic fields, the artificial surfaces were placed over a stone or concrete base and could feature hardness measurements of more than 165 to 200 Gs. NFL By Arthur Weinstein on December 11, 2022. Athletes playing on turf playing fields may have a greater risk of suffering a concussion than ones playing on grass, according to University of Hawaii research published Friday, particularly noteworthy as concerns about head trauma in the National Football League continue to grow. Regardless of the underlying material used for an artificial playing surface, the safety benefits of the field (not taking into account playing technique or player equipment) can only be generated if the field is properly maintained through the course of its life. For example, the materials used in turf fields often contain lead and other chemicals that are harmful to human health. Impact force differences on natural grass versus synthetic turf football fields. These studies point to an increased risk of ankle injury playing on turf instead of grass. Please note that as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. So, as long as the hardness of the playing surface is kept at or below acceptable limits for play with adequate maintenance, artificial turf remains a viable option for the Bears down the line, or at least the greener "grass" that any given losing team at Soldier Field can point to for future salvation. Among high school athletes in the US, about 20 per cent of concussions result from the person hitting their head on the playing surface. 335. If you need more information about your particular injury and options to treat it and recover quickly and safely, talk to me one-on-one! No need to water, cut or fertilize which will save you a few dollars and give you a lot of free time back. The first and most important reason is because of injuries: Stress on the ACL and other joints increases by 45%. Early Artificial Turf: Ankle Sprains, Concussions and Major Knee Injuries. Alex Morgan, a prominent U.S. national team player, spoke of a teammates' Anterior Crucial Ligament (ACL) injury and felt that it was caused because "the turf didn't give like natural grass would have" (Litman). Turf vs Grass: A Look at the Facts. Eight studies described concussion only. Ive enjoyed reading your articles, following you on Facebook/Twitter and listening to your shows on podcast. Also, other important factors like excessive heat, and unnatural bounce of the ball significantly affect the performance of the game on turf. 2022-23 - Budget. The cost factors which determine the final installation costs are inclusive of materials, operation fees, labor charges, company overhead, and company profit. We should take care of our players. A lot of controversy has been generated over the last couple of months regarding the fact that FIFA has chosen to implement artificial turf grass for the 2015 Women's World Cup. over the past decades, numerous studies have attributed a greater risk and incidence of articular and concussive trauma to playing on artificial turf when compared to natural grass.. Of the 16 teams that play on artificial turf, 13 of them were among the league's top 16 most injured teams in 2021, according to an NFL injury data summary.. Of the 16 teams that play on natural grass, just three were among the league's top 16 most injured teams in 2021. Initial costs. Initially, it might seem that way. That leads to little forgiveness in the high stress/torque situations where ligaments injuries occur. Two simple ways women can decrease their risk of hip fracture. This issue persists at the professional level as well. A study that looked at 2,020 young, female soccer players from 109 teams over the course of a season found that ankle injuries were more common on turf than grass.5 Ankle sprain was the most common injury and occurred at a rate of 1.5 injuries per 1000 hours of play time on turf compared to 0.8 injuries per 1000 hours on natural grass. However, grass will have more natural variations over time throughout the seasons, weather changes, and natural wear and tear. 92919 Paris La Defense Cedex The debate over playing surfaces is resurfacing in the NFL. Compared to natural grass, exceptionally well maintained artificial turf can perform similarly to natural turf across a variety of measurements. A new injury question has emerged relative to playing surfaces, though: Can the playing surface contribute to a concussion? The turf is not the problem that people think it is, Meyers says. Summary: Synthetic turf football fields have a greater impact decelerating force than traditional grass fields, presenting an increased risk of injuries, including concussions, due to contact with the surface. Loughran, G. J., Vulpis, C. T., Murphy, J. P., Weiner, D. A., Svoboda, S. J., Hinton, R. Y., & Milzman, D. P. Incidence of Knee Injuries on Artificial Turf Versus Natural Grass in National Collegiate Athletic Association American Football: 2004-2005 Through 2013-2014 Seasons. Consistent with the current trend in synthetic turf installations, the new WashingtonLee field will feature an underlying shockabsorbing pad. He does not specifically recall his cleat catching on the turf that play, but as Walker has pondered his injury the past two months and read up on concerns the NFL Players Association has about. Turf is proven to be hotter than grass, by around 10 degrees at least. Kikuyu, Couch and Rye grass.. NFLPA asking teams to change all fields to natural grass. As one can imagine, hardness recordings are prevalent at the professional level; e.g. The findings led researchers to conclude that foot and ankle injuries may be more common on artificial turf surfaces, even if they are using new generation turf, compared to a grass surface. Brock International, for example, has partnered with the Sports Legacy Institute in a collaborative mission to help "solve the escalating concussion problem." In a study performed by the National Football League Injury and Safety Panel, published in the October 2012 issue of the American Journal of Sports Medicine, Elliott B. Hershman et al. History has shown us that this noble goal is quite a challenge . They found that the injury rate of knee sprains as a whole was 22% higher on FieldTurf than on natural grass. The debate about playing on turf versus grass came into the spotlight most recently when the National Football Leagues Player Association cited the leagues official injury report regarding increases in injuries on artificial turf surfaces.3Solomon Thomas, an NFL player, spoke out, saying It should all be grass fields. Despite turf manufacturers claiming that lower weight infill systems are just as safe as those with higher infill weight, researchers concluded that for football players, trauma to the head, knee or shoulder significantly increased when the infill weight decreased.12 Based on these findings, the researchers recommended that high school football fields need to have at least 6.0 pounds of infill per square foot for the safety of the athletes. If the studies offered data specifically for ACL injuries on the different surfaces, I included them as well. DUGGAN BERTSCH, LLC 303 West Madison, STE 1000 Chicago, Illinois 60606-3321 USA tel 312-263-8600 fax 312-263-8603 info@dugganbertsch.com, ENTERTAINMENT, EVENT, AND FESTIVAL INDUSTRY. Am J Sports Med. 17, 18. Artificial turf has become a popular choice for sports fields across the country, but it has become increasingly controversial. This course teaches you what to expect and how to prepare for surgery to have the best outcome. I actually like your question and think that there is a lot of information worth discussing. These small rubber pieces are used not only for sports fields but playgrounds as well, putting young children at risk of harmful side effects. Consistent with the current trend in synthetic turf installations, the new Washington-Lee field will feature an underlying shock-absorbing pad. ADD TOPIC TO EMAIL ALERTS Receive an email when new Fuller reports on all injuries in soccer (in men and women). First invented in the 1950s, the artificial turf market hit a value of $3.2 billion last year and is growing quickly, with turf fields exploding in popularity in amateur and professional ranks in recent years, with scores of high schools nationwide opting for fake grass. The much-maligned Denver Broncos quarterback was having a great game against the Kansas City Chiefs when he suffered a blow to . Recommended Products and Resources The ITS asserted that although shoe-turf interaction "may be responsible for the increased rate of foot, ankle, and knee injuries seen on infill synthetic surfaces compared with natural grass . Brett Rypien entered the game while . Share . According to The Times article, the Concussion Legacy Foundation called attention to the link between head injuries and poorly maintained fields, especially the growing number of those made of synthetic turf., The report, which is labeled as a white paper, went on to explain that [in] a study of a nationally representative high school population, 21.5 percent of concussions across multiple sports occurred as a result of contact with the playing surface. As recently as 2019, the rate of such injuries was notably higher on artificial turf fields than grass. Injuries. making it the safest option. Is There a Big Difference? Properly maintained artificial turf can greatly reduce the chances of concussions and other injuries for players in your park and recreation facilities. The following question is one I received from a long-time listener of my show and someone who frequently comments on the discussions in social media. In addition to shockabsorbing pads under the field, crumb rubber is essential to ensure that synthetic surfaces feature a safe hardness level. You start to get more Tua situations, some people (of course not all) are going to start to turn away from football. I work at a local high school with 800+ athletes and have very little support from my AD and coaches. There is no possible way to maintain the fields we have with the amount of use each field takes. First, the reports differ on two major aspects. EQUIPMENT COSTS. In my next podcast, I will discuss a variety of injuries and discuss the effect of the surfaces and other related factors on injuries. 15.5 percent of concussions were the result of primary head-to-surface contact, and an additional 6 percent were caused by secondary head-to-turf contact after a player-to-player impact.. Presented at: AAP National Conference & Exhibition; Oct. 7-Oct. 11, 2022; Anaheim, Calif. Lower NCAA divisions (I and II) also showed higher rates of ACL injuries during the competitions on artificial turf vs. natural grass." - AJSM Study Pro/Cons Turf vs. Grass. An Analysis of Specific Lower Extremity Injury Rates on Grass and FieldTurf Playing Surfaces in National Football League Games: 2000-2009 Seasons. Meyers MC. Im not downplaying the seriousness of concussions, Meyers says. The percentages are even smaller when it comes to the NCAA level. Through the stories of a dozen athletes whose injuries and recovery advanced the field (including Joan Benoit, Michael Jordan, Brandi Chastain, and Tommy John), Dr. Geier explains how sports medicine makes sports safer for the pros, amateurs, student-athletes, and weekend warriors alike. Meyers, Michael C. Incidence, Mechanisms, and Severity of Game-Related High School Football Injuries Across Artificial Turf Systems of Various Infill Weights. If you go less than 6 p./sq.ft., youre going to enhance the opportunity for injury trauma, Meyers says. The contract, awarded to Arlington, Va.based GTR Turf Inc., was promoted by the school board as a necessary purchase "to meet the evergrowing demand from athletes of all ages in Arlington for places to play team sports." There are other factors to consider when looking at rates of injury among athletes playing on turf. Sydney Leroux: Why Turf Is Terrible For Soccer Players. Let's take a look at some of the pros and cons. Athletes who play on grass fields may be at higher risk of suffering concussions than those who play on grass, according to a University of Hawaii study released Friday, raising concerns about head injuries in the National Football League. THE SITE MAY OFFER HEALTH, FITNESS, NUTRITIONAL AND OTHER SUCH INFORMATION, BUT SUCH INFORMATION IS DESIGNED FOR EDUCATIONAL AND INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY. 10-year study. Of the 1,837 games looked at in the study, 788 were played on less than 6.0 pounds per square foot, meaning the athletes were exposed to additional risks in 43% of the games studied. Third generation turf has a few different layers.1The bottom layer is either a gravel, asphalt, or concrete base. You may opt-out by. Concussions could cause that, which is why there's concern. Injury rates for PCL tears were significantly increased during competitions played on artificial turf as compared with natural grass. Comparing all injuries (and not just ACL tears), he found no difference in the rate of knee injuries from games played on natural grass and those on FieldTurf. Often complaints come from wide receivers losing their footing on routes from former Bears receiver Rashied Davis ("It's a horrible, horrible surface") to current Dolphin and former Packer Greg Jennings ("probably worst in the league") due to the uneven grass surface. While turf burns are considered minor injuries and rarely result in lost playing time, there is a risk for infections, such as Staph or MRSA, as well as the risk of debris from the field getting stuck in the wound. Disclosures: The authors report no relevant financial disclosures. We had 3 meniscus injuries on the turf fields. In their study, published in the May 2012 issue of the American Journal of Sports Medicine, they observed that rates of ACL tears were higher on artificial turf than on natural grass. A recent and ongoing debate in the United States has put a spotlight on the need to come up with a strategy to address the safety of athletes in football and other sports. Finally, silica sand and/or tiny rubber pellets are used to fill in the space between the fibers. Some reports indicate that at least 10 percent of concussions are directly tied to the hardness of the playing surface. Much more durable than natural grass. Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, whose team plays on turf, dismissed players' concerns, citing the . Our varsity football team practices on grass field and play more than half of their games on turf. But we just started the program so it is slowly building. Jim, C.Y. While the counties'safety goals are laudable, any productliability attorney defending a future lawsuit against the county would want to make sure that reduction of concussions and the severity of such head trauma is documented and even provable. Dulik, Brian. Quick tips for a variety of sports- and exercise-related bone and joint injuries - Learn when those injuries could be serious and what you should do about them. Researchers strapped a football helmet and sensors to a life-like mannequin and dropped the mannequin on its front, back and side a total of 1,710 on 10 different grass fields and nine turf fields, measuring the falls impact with sensor data. reviewed the National Collegiate Athletic Association Injury Surveillance System for injuries between 2004 and 2009 to attempt to identify risk factors for ACL tears in college football. Down 34-21 and facing a third and 11 at Kansas City's 16-yard line, Wilson scrambled to the right and agained 14 yards.But at the end of the play he landed head first, hitting the turf hard. Most studies compare turf to pristine natural grass fields used by only one team, not fields used by multiple teams for multiple seasons. In their study, published in the May 2012 issue of the American Journal of Sports Medicine, they observed that rates of ACL tears were higher on artificial turf than on natural grass. Although artificial turf quality has improved dramatically during the past five to 10 years, studies suggest athletes should take preventive measures when playing on artificial turf. This audio/video program offers a comprehensive Q&A collection on ACL injuries, including diagnosis, graft options, partial vs. complete tears, rehab, reinjury, recovery and return to sports. The amount of infill (the rubber pieces or sand that fills the space between the fibers) varies in turf fields. Is it a problem with the interface between the players shoes and the turf? Follow this author to stay notified about their latest stories. But the difference began narrowing in 2020, and by 2021, the numbers were almost the same . They actually found a higher incidence rate of ACL injuries on FieldTurf than on natural grass. Other fields had never been tested since installation. Researchers took temperatures of the surface of both grass and artificial turf fields and found the turf field got much hotter.8For example, on a 90-degree day, the surface temperature of the grass field was about 98 degrees Fahrenheit, but the artificial turf got all the up to 166 degrees Fahrenheit. The majority of people thought playing on the turf would have a negative . Is it a result of increased speed of play due to a uniform playing surface? The strength of the fibers in turf is so much stronger than grass/dirt because the turf fields must last so much longer vs. grass that repopulates. Even more overwhelming: only 1 % of total injuries were player-to-surface concussions meaning that 99 % of all high school football injuries, including concussions, are not player-to-surface concussions. Interestingly, when comparing surfaces, 11.8 % of player-to-surface concussions occurred on natural grass, while 11.4 % were sustained on synthetic turf. They also found that more serious concussions were associated with artificial turf than grass. While MCL sprains did not occur at a rate significantly higher than on grass, rates of ACL sprains were 67% higher on FieldTurf. The incident rate for artificial turf in 2021 was.042 per 100 and .041 per 100 for grass surfaces. However, the cost and amount of time to maintain your new grass are much higher than artificial grass or turf. Synthetic turf comes at a much higher price as compared to real grass. He helps athletes and active people feel and perform their best, regardless of age, injuries and medical history. An evaluation of various outside taking part in surfaces means that falls on synthetic turf might pose a higher concussion danger than pure grass Well being 7 October 2022 By Tiffany O'Callaghan Synthetic turf is a more durable taking part in floor than pure grass, which might enhance damage dangerThomas Farlow / Alamy Inventory Two were medial and one lateral; all 3 were repair. One field measured a Gmax score of 225 Gs, which generates a recommendation that "no future athletic play be allowed on that field until remediation events are taken." Although most concussions are attributed to collisions between players, around 20% of concussions occur when the athlete's head collides with the ground. This study also found no significant difference in knee injuries between surfaces. Meyers MC and Barnhill BS. For games, grass surfaces are attractive in the summer and can keep players cool. These studies point to an increased risk of ankle injury playing on turf instead of grass. Consequently, certain grass and turf fields have higher G-max values, which lead to a higher rate of concussions and other contact injuries," he explained. I cover breaking news with a focus on markets and sports business. . Much of the concern about concussions in football centers on the prevalence of the chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a degenerative degenerative brain condition with symptoms including severe depression and mood swings which has been found in 99% of the brains of former NFL players, several of whom died by suicide. Pro's Lower maintenance costs with artificial turf. While this information and these products are not intended to treat any specific injury or illness you have, they are products I use personally, have used or have tried, or I have recommended to others. The study collected injury reports from regular-season games played during the 2012 and 2013 seasons and indicates no difference in concussion rates between natural grass or artificial turf. Traditionally sport has been played on natural grass surfaces. Installation of Synthetic Turf Site preparation Drainage System Concrete poured Base formed Turf Laid Color is already predetermined Includes field lines Infill is Added Time Table (weather dependent) Field excavation - 6 days Outer . Synthetic turf refers to any artificial turf surface used in sports ground construction including unfilled, filled and water-based surfaces.. Head bouncing of the dirt under the grass is not good as well. But the report, issued by the Concussion Legacy Foundation, has the potential to confuse field administrators, coaches, players and parents. 1 Terrasse Bellini - Tour Initiale - TSA 14201 Reply. Epidemiology of Lacrosse Injuries in High School-Aged Girls and Boys: A 3-Year Prospective Study. October 08, 2022 2 min read Source/Disclosures Source: Chun IK, et al. Also had a tibia/fibula fracture without impact. Similar complaints on footing at Soldier Field have been echoed in the press from all positions including Brian Urlacher, Jay Cutler and Robbie Gould with a promise even coming from Mayor Rahm Emanuel last October that the playing surface at the stadium was being worked on. Tips For Choosing the Perfect Orthopedic Surgeon For You. In the N.F.L., about one in seven concussions occurs when a player's head strikes a synthetic or grass field. Natural grass refers to any natural turf species used for sports ground construction i.e. Synthetic Turf: History, Design, Maintenance, and Athlete Safety. Turf may actually be safer than a natural grass field. As the artificial infill surface weight decreased, the incidence of game-related high school football trauma significantly increased. Current analysis on the safety considerations of synthetic turf suggests a much more cautious approach than the one represented in the Arlington County announcement. He has been featured in major media publications and shows over 2,500 times throughout his career. Further, one would not be surprised to find hardness recordings drop commensurate with the level of competition. Johnson 1 Curtis Johnson Professor Webb ENGL 1302_87 27 June 2022 Which type of field do Abrasion injuries on artificial turf: A systematic review. The next study I looked at also was published in The American Journal of Sports Medicine: "Incidence, Mechanisms, and Severity of Game-Related College Football Injuries on FieldTurf Versus Natural Grass: A 3-Year Prospective Study." The study author, Michael Meyers, followed 24 Division IA NCAA football teams prospectively for three years and analyzed a total of 465 games (230 on FieldTurf . I really appreciate how you express how important athletic trainers are in the sports world. Example: Yes, I would like to receive emails from National Center for Health Research. Pickett was driven hard to the turf by Ravens linebacker Roquan Smith while getting sacked on Pittsburgh's first drive. #8. In a study looking at high school lacrosse games, it was found that abrasion injuries accounted for 19.3% of all injuries on turf while only accounting for 0.5% of injuries that occurred on grass.9 In a study conducted of elite players views on artificial turf, over 60% said they thought turf was too abrasive.10While battling a lawsuit over the use of artificial turf in the World Cup, Sydney Leroux, a member of the Womens National Soccer team tweeted out a photo of her bloodied turf burns with the caption This is why soccer should be played on grass. In an interview, she explained that she plays differently on turf specifically to avoid turf burns.11 If players are actively changing their style of play to avoid these abrasions, they could actually be putting themselves at greater risk for other injuries.10. The most common type of turf used today is referred to as third-generation turf, which isnt exactly the same as the first and second generation turf fields installed in the 1960s. There are also concerns regarding the chemicals that can be found in artificial turf infill. In April of this year, a contract was awarded by the Arlington (Va.) County School Board for the construction of a new synthetic turf field at WashingtonLee High School at a cost of nearly $700,000. These findings are present across different sports and from the high school through professional levels. Concussion rates on turf are decreased compared to natural grass due to lower G-max values on well-maintained artificial surfaces. This is called the infill. Natural grass sports surfaces were developed on open space sites set . Research presented at the 2014 annual meeting of the American Orthopedic Society for Sports Medicine focused on game-related high school football injuries across artificial turf systems of various infill weights. The controversy that has been revolving around the use of artificial turf in the 2015 Women's World Cup stems largely from concern over player safety on the turf surface. Hip, knee, and overall injury rates are equivalent between the two surfaces except in specific populations including elite-level American football players that exhibit increased knee injury rates on artificial turf . In this case, the NFL is touting a narrowing of the rate of non-contact injuries on turf compared to grass surfaces to the point that there was "no statistical difference" during the 2021 . Although grass and turf fields might cause a similar rate of injuries, some scientists believe there is one feature of turf that makes it much more dangerous to play on. Athletes playing on synthetic grass surfaces may be at higher risk for concussion than those playing on natural grass. Lower weight infill systems are cheaper to maintain, so many artificial turf fields have little infill. We strive to provide the very best athletic equipment and Grass sod is extremely inexpensive and only costs about $1 per square foot on average. Turf, on the other hand, maintains its uniform height, color, and texture year-round, regardless of . That's on top of people starting to stop letting their kids play, which could eventually affect quality and further ratings drops. Equipment, supplies, and labor costs can range from $23,250-$127,00 for synthetic turf, and from $42,800-$205,500 for natural grass. Meyers studied football injuries at 24 universities over three seasons. One aspect of turf maintenance is infill weight. That level of a hardness reduction can possibly reduce the likelihood of severe head injury by as much as 50 percent. Artificial turf has been in use for over 40 years. The Sports Legacy Institute is a nonprofit organization founded to "advance the study, treatment and prevention of brain trauma.". Interestingly, when comparing surfaces, 11.8 % of player-to-surface concussions occurred on natural grass, while 11.4 % were sustained on synthetic turf. More than 70% of players prefer playing on natural grass, while 15% prefer instuctive systems, and less than 1% have no preference at all. To investigate the effects of artificial turf on athletes, a large study was conducted to measure the rates of knee injuries in college football players over the course of 10 years.4The study looked at the rates of 5 different knee injuries on grass vs. artificial turf across all 3 divisions of NCAA football. Alarming data? There . Solarterrestrial radiant-energy regimes and temperature anomalies of natural and artificial turfs. While it is generally accepted that a lower Gmax rating can equate to safer playing surfaces from an impact standpoint; use of the pads are tied to a significant caveat. Equipment costs can be less for synthetic fields than for grass fields, but schools usually already have natural grass equipment. Artificial turf (AT) has a number of benefits over natural grass (NG), such as decreased maintenance costs, and increased usability across the elements, making it more common in professional sports. To learn more about head injuries involving turf, you can read our article here. Athletes playing on synthetic grass surfaces may be at higher risk for concussion than those playing on natural grass. No difference in injury rates: A 2010 study looking at collegiate football injuries showed that FieldTurf may actually be safer than natural grass for injuries in general. Synthetic surface manufacturers are also thinking about concussions on a more macro level. The Poaceae family of plants contains about 12,000 species of grass. Twomey, Dara M, Petrass, Lauren A, Fleming, Paul, & Lenehan, Kurt. Grass. THE BIRTH OF ASTROTURF "The history of the Astrodome makes for interesting reading: of note, the original intention was for the surface to be natural grass, and the makers of the dome had installed translucent skylights to allow for grass to grow on the indoor surface. This is the second time this season Pickett has entered the concussion . Synthetic turf equipment is another additional cost for those . To learn more about MRSA, read our article here. 2010;38(4):687-697. Fuller presents rates (per 1,000 hrs) for men and women, by training and match, by turf and . Concussions. Replies (0) 2 0. Presented at: AAP National Conference & Exhibition; Oct. 7-Oct. 11, 2022; Anaheim, Calif. This can put athletes at higher risk of heat-related illness or injury such as dehydration, heatstroke, and thermal burns. Here are 3 great reasons why turf is more beneficial to the environment: 1. The focus of this article is knee and ankle injuries, concussions, heat-related illness and injury, and abrasions, all of which may occur more frequently on turf than grass. Is it the weather and problems with the surfaces when they get wet? 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