Influence of Artificial Turf Surface Stiffness on Athlete Performance
Properties of conventional playing surfaces have been investigated for many years and the stiffness of the surface has potential to influence athletic performance. However, despite the proliferation of different infilled artificial turfs with varying properties, the effect of surface stiffness of th...
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| Format: | Article |
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MDPI AG
2020-12-01
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| Series: | Life |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-1729/10/12/340 |
| _version_ | 1797545085831741440 |
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| author | John Wannop Shaylyn Kowalchuk Michael Esposito Darren Stefanyshyn |
| author_facet | John Wannop Shaylyn Kowalchuk Michael Esposito Darren Stefanyshyn |
| author_sort | John Wannop |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Properties of conventional playing surfaces have been investigated for many years and the stiffness of the surface has potential to influence athletic performance. However, despite the proliferation of different infilled artificial turfs with varying properties, the effect of surface stiffness of these types of surfaces on athlete performance remains unknown. Therefore, the purpose of this project was to determine the influence of surface stiffness of artificial turf systems on athlete performance. Seventeen male athletes performed four movements (running, 5-10-5 agility, vertical jumping and sprinting) on five surfaces of varying stiffness: Softest (−50%), Softer (−34%), Soft (−16%), Control, Stiff (+17%). Performance metrics (running economy, jump height, sprint/agility time) and kinematic data were recorded during each movement and participants performed a subjective evaluation of the surface. When compared to the Control surface, performance was significantly improved during running (Softer, Soft), the agility drill (Softest) and vertical jumping (Soft). Subjectively, participants could not discern between any of the softer surfaces in terms of surface cushioning, however, the stiffer surface was rated as harder and less comfortable. Overall, changes in surface stiffness altered athletic performance and, to a lesser extent, subjective assessments of performance, with changes in performance being surface and movement specific. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T14:10:30Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-2af94bea4e8c4855bfd7ae28b5dae165 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2075-1729 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T14:10:30Z |
| publishDate | 2020-12-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Life |
| spelling | doaj.art-2af94bea4e8c4855bfd7ae28b5dae1652023-11-21T00:11:35ZengMDPI AGLife2075-17292020-12-01101234010.3390/life10120340Influence of Artificial Turf Surface Stiffness on Athlete PerformanceJohn Wannop0Shaylyn Kowalchuk1Michael Esposito2Darren Stefanyshyn3Human Performance Lab, Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Calgary, 2500 University Dr NW, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, CanadaHuman Performance Lab, Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Calgary, 2500 University Dr NW, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, CanadaHuman Performance Lab, Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Calgary, 2500 University Dr NW, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, CanadaHuman Performance Lab, Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Calgary, 2500 University Dr NW, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, CanadaProperties of conventional playing surfaces have been investigated for many years and the stiffness of the surface has potential to influence athletic performance. However, despite the proliferation of different infilled artificial turfs with varying properties, the effect of surface stiffness of these types of surfaces on athlete performance remains unknown. Therefore, the purpose of this project was to determine the influence of surface stiffness of artificial turf systems on athlete performance. Seventeen male athletes performed four movements (running, 5-10-5 agility, vertical jumping and sprinting) on five surfaces of varying stiffness: Softest (−50%), Softer (−34%), Soft (−16%), Control, Stiff (+17%). Performance metrics (running economy, jump height, sprint/agility time) and kinematic data were recorded during each movement and participants performed a subjective evaluation of the surface. When compared to the Control surface, performance was significantly improved during running (Softer, Soft), the agility drill (Softest) and vertical jumping (Soft). Subjectively, participants could not discern between any of the softer surfaces in terms of surface cushioning, however, the stiffer surface was rated as harder and less comfortable. Overall, changes in surface stiffness altered athletic performance and, to a lesser extent, subjective assessments of performance, with changes in performance being surface and movement specific.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-1729/10/12/340artificial turfperformancesport biomechanics |
| spellingShingle | John Wannop Shaylyn Kowalchuk Michael Esposito Darren Stefanyshyn Influence of Artificial Turf Surface Stiffness on Athlete Performance Life artificial turf performance sport biomechanics |
| title | Influence of Artificial Turf Surface Stiffness on Athlete Performance |
| title_full | Influence of Artificial Turf Surface Stiffness on Athlete Performance |
| title_fullStr | Influence of Artificial Turf Surface Stiffness on Athlete Performance |
| title_full_unstemmed | Influence of Artificial Turf Surface Stiffness on Athlete Performance |
| title_short | Influence of Artificial Turf Surface Stiffness on Athlete Performance |
| title_sort | influence of artificial turf surface stiffness on athlete performance |
| topic | artificial turf performance sport biomechanics |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-1729/10/12/340 |
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