Influence of the structural components of artificial turf systems on impact attenuation in amateur football players

Abstract

The objective of this research was to evaluate the influence of the structural components of different third-generation artificial turf soccer field systems on the biomechanical response of impact attenuation in amateur soccer players. A total of 12 amateur soccer players (24.3 ± 3.7 years, 73.5 ± 5.5 kg, 178.3 ± 4.1 cm, and 13.7 ± 4.3 years of sport experience) were evaluated on three third-generation artificial turf systems (ATS) with different structural components. The ATSs were composed of an asphalt subbase and a fiber height of 45 mm with (ATS1) and without (ATS2) elastic layer or a compacted granular subbase, a fiber height of 60 mm without elastic layer (ATS3). Two triaxial accelerometers were firmly attached to the forehead and distal end of the right tibia of each individual. The results reveal a greater force reduction in ATS3 compared to ATS1 (+6.24 %, 95%CI: 1.67 to 10.92, ES: 1.07; p < 0.05) and ATS2 (+21.08 %, 95%CI: 16.51 to 25.66, ES: 2.98; p < 0.05) elastic layer. The tibia acceleration rate was lower in ATS3 than in ATS1 (-0.32, 95%CI: -0.60 to -0.03, ES: 4.23; p < 0.05) and ATS2 (-0.35, 95%CI: -0.64 to -0.06; ES: 4.69; p < 0.05) at 3.3 m/s. A very large correlation (r = 0.7 to 0.9; p < 0.05) was found between energy restitution and fiber height in both peak head and tibial acceleration and stride time. In conclusion, the structural components (fiber height, infill, subbase and elastic layer) determine the mechanical properties of artificial turf fields. Higher force reduction and lower energy restitution decreased the impact received by the player, which could protect against impact-associated injuries compared to harder artificial turf surfaces.