Latest News

Back to Latest News back

 

Study finds no difference in player injury rates on artificial turf surfaces

Study finds no difference in player injury rates on artificial turf surfaces
March 30, 2014

New research has found no greater injury of risk for footballers using artificial turf playing surfaces.

The study, Safety of Third Generation Artificial Turf in Male Elite Professional Soccer Players, was presented by a group of Italian researchers (Dr Alessandro Ciompi, Riccardo Maria Lanzetti, Domenico Lupariello, Dr Angelo De Carli and Dr Andrea Ferretti) at this month’s 2014 Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS).

Reviewing injuries involving players in Serie A, the top Italian football league, during the 2011/12 season, the study found no greater injury risk for athletes playing on artificial turf surfaces.

The use of artificial playing surfaces at sport venues has increased significantly in recent years, primarily due to the advantages of artificial turf over natural grass: longer playing hours, lower maintenance costs and greater resilience to harsh weather conditions.

However, despite these advantages, many elite professional soccer teams are reluctant to install artificial turf because of a perception that injuries occur more often on these types of surfaces.

The study recorded a total of 2,580 hours of play (1,270 hours on artificial turf and 1,310 on grass). For every 1,000 hours of play there were 23 injuries recorded on artificial surfaces and 20 on grass, with muscle strains being the most common injury (13 on artificial turf, 14 on grass).

The authors of the study do not consider the injury rates between the two surfaces to be statistically significant, as only three injuries per 1,000 hours of play were attributable to artificial surfaces.

The study authors concluded that there are no major differences between the nature and causes of injuries sustained on artificial turf and those that occur on natural grass surfaces.

Founded in the 1933 and with over 36,000 members, the AAOS group provides education and practice management services for orthopaedic surgeons and allied health professionals. 

Click here to view the presentation abstract. 

The latest developments in artificial turf in Australia will be presented at the second National Synthetic Surfaces Conference & Expo (NSSCE) will be held on 3rd and 4th June 2014 at Rosehill Gardens, Sydney. Click here for details.

10th December 2013 - NATIONAL SYNTHETIC SURFACES CONFERENCE & EXPO TO RETURN IN JUNE 2014

28th November 2013 - STUDY SHOWS THAT CHILDREN CONCUSSED WHILE PLAYING SPORT DON’T GET PROPER TREATMENT

14th June 2013 - TURF WAR OVER SURFACES AT 2015 FIFA WOMEN'S WORLD CUP

25th January 2012 - SYNTHETIC SURFACES ADVISOR HIGHLIGHTS NEW RESEARCH ON ARTIFICIAL TURF SAFETY

23rd January 2012 - ARTIFICIAL TURF BEAT UP FAILS TO HIGHLIGHT ALTERNATIVES


Support our industry news service
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

As an independent publisher, we need reader support for our industry news gathering so ask that - if you don't already do so - you back us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine and/or our online news.

 

supplier directory

The Complete Guide to Leisure Industry Products & Services.

See the directory see all

Links Modular Solutions

Links Modular Solutions was a leading provider of high-quality, innovative software solutions for aquatic and recreation facilities. Links Modular Solutions is now part of Xplor Technologies.

read more

Access / Billing / Finance / Fitness / Technology

 
 

Worldwide Sports Management

Principal Consultant Simon Weatherill has spent the last 20 years developing the world renowned Melbourne Sports Hub, as former Chief Executive Officer of the State Sports Centres Trust…

read more

Aquatics / Consultants / Recreation / Sport / Venues

 
 

Centaman Entrance Control

Turnstile Entry Systems and Access Control Centaman Entrance Controls’ Award Winning Range of Access Control Systems includes tripod & triarm turnstiles, speedgates, full height…

read more

Access / Entertainment / Sport / Ticketing / Venues

 
 

DAE Global

DAE Global is one of the world’s leading international creative and production practitioners, creating award-winning sport, culture and entertainment experiences for over 30 years.  It was…

read more

Culture / Entertainment / Events / Venues

 
 

ICP

ICP is an Australian-based company focused on indoor climbing. ICP will manage your project from initial design to completion and beyond, whether you're building an international-level climbing…

read more

Attractions / Fitness / Recreation

 
 

Technogym Australia

Technogym is the leading company in the Wellness and Fitness field all over the world. With 2,200 employees, 14 branches in Europe, U.S., South America, Asia  and Australia, Technogym exports its…

read more

Fitness / Technology / Wellness

 
 

AIS Water

AIS Water, the trading name of Australian Innovative Systems, is a multi-award winning, Australian owned leader in the design, production and supply of commercial and residential chlorine generators…

read more

Aquatics / Safety / Technology

 
 

Myrtha Pools

Founded in 1961, Myrtha Pools® quickly became Italy’s première swimming pool company, and has since grown into one of the world's leading swimming pool construction…

read more

Aquatics / Design / Play / Waterparks / Wellness

 
 
 
 

get listed with our suppliers directory

Get your business noticed in our targeted directory. Viewed by 10,000 industry professionals per week!

list your business