The predicted risk of head injury from fall-related impacts on to third-generation artificial turf and grass soccer surfaces: A comparative biomechanical analysis

The risk of soccer players sustaining mild traumatic brain injury (MTBI) following head impact with a playing surface is unclear. This study investigates MTBI by performing headform impact tests from varying heights onto a range of third-generation artificial turf surfaces. Each turf was prepared as...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inSports biomechanics Vol. 9; no. 1; pp. 29 - 37
Main Authors Theobald, Peter, Whitelegg, Liam, Nokes, Leonard D. M., D. Jones, Michael
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published England Taylor & Francis Group 01.03.2010
Taylor & Francis Ltd
Subjects
Accidental Falls
Artificial
Athletic Injuries - etiology
Biomechanical Phenomena
Brain damage
Brain Injuries - etiology
Comparative analysis
head
Humans
injury
Injury Severity Score
Poaceae
Professional soccer
Risk
Risk factors
soccer
Soccer - injuries
Studies
turf
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Summary:The risk of soccer players sustaining mild traumatic brain injury (MTBI) following head impact with a playing surface is unclear. This study investigates MTBI by performing headform impact tests from varying heights onto a range of third-generation artificial turf surfaces. Each turf was prepared as per manufacturers specifications within a laboratory, before being tested immediately following installation and then again after a bedding-in period. Each turf was tested dry and when wetted to saturation. Data from the laboratory tests were compared to an in situ third-generation surface and a professional grass surface. The surface performance threshold was set at a head impact criterion (HIC) = 400, which equates to a 10% risk of the head impact causing MTBI. All six third-generation surfaces had a >10% risk of MTBI from a fall >0.77 m; the inferior surfaces required a fall from just 0.46 m to have a 10% MTBI risk. Wetting the artificial turf did not produce a statistically significant improvement (P > 0.01). The in situ third-generation playing surface produced HIC values within the range of bedded-in experimental values. However, the natural turf pitch was the superior performer - necessitating fall heights exceeding those achievable during games to achieve HIC = 400.
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ISSN:1476-3141
1752-6116
DOI:10.1080/14763141003690245