The debate over playing surfaces is resurfacing in the NFL. Typical native topsoil and natural grass turf systems, whether they're USGA or ASTM sand, Kentucky bluegrass or Bermuda grass, inherently have a lower G-max value usually in the 80 . Early Artificial Turf: Ankle Sprains, Concussions and Major Knee Injuries. Sigh Of Relief: Argentina Survives Staggering Netherlands Comeback To Reach World Cup Semifinals, Banksy Sells Rare Rat Prints To Raise Money For Ukraine, Democrats Push Biden To Use Executive Order For Rail Worker Sick Leave, Bankman-Fried Secretly Funneled Millions To Crypto Outlet The Block, R. Kelly Bootleg Album I Admit It Released And Quickly Removed. Episode 74: Is artificial turf safer for football players than natural grass? (this is an observation, not a fact necessarily) Find an orthopedic surgeon who specializes in your injury, who explains the injury in ways you can understand and more. . Johnson 1 Curtis Johnson Professor Webb ENGL 1302_87 27 June 2022 Which type of field do Meyers research indicates that 5.9 percent of all concussions at the college level are the result of player-to-turf contact (with a slightly higher percentage occurring on natural grass compared to artificial turf). They also found that more serious concussions were associated with artificial turf than grass. The various proprietary sand/rubber infill compositions applied during the construction of an artificial turf field are typically defined in pounds of infill per square foot of surface (p/sq.ft.). Jim, C.Y. 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. There is no possible way to maintain the fields we have with the amount of use each field takes. Artificial turf can get extremely hot on sunny days. Many studies have examined injury rates on artificial turf versus grass. Despite the many advancements manufacturers have taken with artificial grass, the effect on injury rates is still very controversial. Over time, synthetic fields lose the amount of crumb rubber infill that comes with original installation. 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. There was a chunk of grass stuck to the side of his helmet. Tips For Choosing the Perfect Orthopedic Surgeon For You. This study also found no significant difference in knee injuries between surfaces. Alarming data? 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. You start to get more Tua situations, some people (of course not all) are going to start to turn away from football. Meyers, Michael C. Incidence, Mechanisms, and Severity of Game-Related High School Football Injuries Across Artificial Turf Systems of Various Infill Weights. Concussion rates on turf are decreased compared to natural grass due to lower G-max values on well-maintained artificial surfaces. 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 . ADD TOPIC TO EMAIL ALERTS Receive Baseball and softball fields can consist of either grass or turf. Incidence, Mechanisms, and Severity of Game-Related College Football Injuries on FieldTurf Versus Natural Grass: A 3-Year Prospective Study. JC Tretter, the president of the NFL players union, called for the league to make all playing surfaces natural grass in a 2020 essay. Additionally Meyers and Barnhill studied eight high schools over five seasons. Second, the data presented is simply misleading. Results Initial screening generated 42 publications, with 12 meeting criteria for inclusion. Thanks Gino for the question and the thoughts on the show and social media. Synthetic Turf Council. 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. With head injuries and concussions being the major. Last Wednesday, the NFL released a chart showing how the rate of lower-extremity injuries on natural grass versus synthetic turf fields . In the N.F.L., about one in seven concussions occurs when a player's head strikes a synthetic or grass field. 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. 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. Most are appalled over this decision to use synthetic turf instead of natural grass, the standard in most FIFA international matches. My question for you is do you think playing on turf field compared to regular grass has an impact on injuries? reviewed injury data from NFL games played between 2000 and 2009. I cover breaking news with a focus on markets and sports business. There . Is it the weather and problems with the surfaces when they get wet? 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. It means a lot. Much of the concern about concussions in . Moreover, over time the amount of infill decreases as a result of getting kicked up during use or washed away in heavy rains. 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. 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. You slide right onto the ground to get the ball, dive for the catch, lunge to make the tackle. These studies point to an increased risk of ankle injury playing on turf instead of 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). Water is becoming a precious resource in some parts of the country. 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. As one can imagine, hardness recordings are prevalent at the professional level; e.g. Im going to be fair to both sides of the issue.. 2010;38(4):687-697. 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. 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. FieldTurf offers the heaviest weighted infill system on the market, at 9.2 p/sq.ft. Half of NFL teams play their home games on synthetic turf. 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. Here are 3 great reasons why turf is more beneficial to the environment: 1. Athletes playing at lower levels experienced anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears 1.6 times more often on turf than they did on the grass. Grass sod is extremely inexpensive and only costs about $1 per square foot on average. 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. Artificial turf can hold up to heavy use and weather conditions and maintain its look and consistency. One aspect of turf maintenance is infill weight. I really appreciate how you express how important athletic trainers are in the sports world. Another study in 2013 looked at injury rates between grass and artificial turf in female . Chun wrote in an email to Forbes its reasonable to conclude harder playing surface poses an increased risk of injury, but added he would caution against generalizing the results of our research to a professional level, noting turf NFL fields have strict guidelines and manuals on how to maintain their fields to playing standards which are undoubtedly stricter than the local high school fields where the research was conducted. 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). They actually found a higher incidence rate of ACL injuries on FieldTurf than on natural grass. Let's take a closer look at each type to see what makes each one unique. He has been featured in major media publications and shows over 2,500 times throughout his career. 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. By DMP. 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.. 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. Epidemiology of Lacrosse Injuries in High School-Aged Girls and Boys: A 3-Year Prospective Study. I actually like your question and think that there is a lot of information worth discussing. No need to water, cut or fertilize which will save you a few dollars and give you a lot of free time back. 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. 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. 1 Terrasse Bellini - Tour Initiale - TSA 14201 Hershman EB, Anderson R, Bergfeld JA, Bradley JP, Coughlin MJ, Johnson RJ, Spindler KP, Wojtys E, Powell JW. Understand your ACL injury and your treatment options even if you have no medical knowledge and have looked everywhere for answers with no luck! The much-maligned Denver Broncos quarterback was having a great game against the Kansas City Chiefs when he suffered a blow to . College Men's & Women's Soccer Artificial Turf VS Natural Grass. A nationwide study looked at rates of concussion in both collegiate and high school football players. An article in The New York Times (Concussion Report Highlights Field Maintenance, Dec. 29) linked concussions in football players to poorly maintained fields. Turf is specifically designed to look like grass, so it's safe to say the aesthetics are comparable. 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. For games, grass surfaces are attractive in the summer and can keep players cool. 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. Grass. Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, whose team plays on turf, dismissed players' concerns, citing the . Source: American Academy of Pediatrics While rules and playing equipment in sports have changed over time, one area of sports safety that remains largely unexplored is the playing . 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). 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. Not only are players concerned about major ligament tears and concussions, but they also speak to the increased stress on the body. Turf may actually be safer than a natural grass field. 88.4 % of the remaining concussions occurred during player-to-player contact. Thats how many NFL teams play their home games on artificial turf fields, according to NBC Sports. 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 Shares Surge Again To Make Streamer Best Performing Stock On S&P 500 Following Rout, Taylor Swift Is Making Her Feature Film Directorial Debut With Searchlight, Arizona Sen. Sinema Leaving Democratic Party, Becoming An Independent, Sam Bankman-Fried Says Hell Testify Before Congress Next Week, Elton John Leaves Twitter: These Are All The Celebrities Departing After Elon Musks Takeover, Twitter Files 2: Elon Musks Hyped Up Expos Unveils Secret Blacklists And Shadow Banning Which Seem Very Similar To His Own Policies, Brittney Griner Lands In U.S. After 10 Months In Russian Prison, Racism And Discrimination Are A Key Public Health ThreatBut Overlooked And Dismissed Using Poor Science, Researchers Warn, NFL stars started a petition to ban artificial turf in football after Odell Beckham's Super Bowl injury, NFL Players Union Ousts Doctor Who Cleared Tagovailoa To Play. Impact force differences on natural grass versus synthetic turf football fields. ADD TOPIC TO EMAIL ALERTS Receive an email when new Finally, silica sand and/or tiny rubber pellets are used to fill in the space between the fibers. 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. 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. Heres Why That Wont Happen Anytime Soon In The U.S. Minneapolis Officer Who Kneeled On George Floyds Back Sentenced To 3.5 Years In Prison, GOP Jump On Biden Official Sam Brintons 2nd Theft AllegationBlames Wokeness For Their Hire, Juul To Pay $1.2 Billion To Settle Youth-Vaping Lawsuits, Manatee Cousins, Coral And Abalone Among 10% Of Marine Life At Risk Of Extinction, World Cup Shocker: Croatia Knocks Out Favorite Brazil Even As Neymar Ties Pels Goal Record, Americans Have Lost $6.8 Trillion This Year As Stocks Crashed, Housing Market Collapsed And Savings Dwindled, Uber Reportedly Sues New York City Taxi Commission To Block Fare Increase, Netflix Comeback? Artificial turf has become a popular choice for sports fields across the country, but it has become increasingly controversial. Impact force differences on natural grass versus synthetic turf football fields. If you want to get more exercise, find active friends, 77. Artificial turf is a synthetic surface that is made to look like real grass. Children and Athletes at Play on Toxic Turf and Playgrounds. 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. 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. 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. Equipment costs can be less for synthetic fields than for grass fields, but schools usually already have natural grass equipment. 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. That's a whole lot of grass. This is called the infill. Head bouncing of the dirt under the grass is not good as well. Initial costs. Also, other important factors like excessive heat, and unnatural bounce of the ball significantly affect the performance of the game on turf. Opponents of the artificial turf surface cite an increased exposure to a range of injuries. First, the reports differ on two major aspects. The LA Galaxy were already stretched thin from injuries to both dos Santos-es and Romain Alessandrini (their three DPs) and defender Michael Ciani for Sigi Schmid's return to Seattle. History has shown us that this noble goal is quite a challenge . I work at a local high school with 800+ athletes and have very little support from my AD and coaches. Is There a Big Difference? Summers are getting hotter, and people are watering their lawns more and . Properly maintained artificial turf can greatly reduce the chances of concussions and other injuries for players in your park and recreation facilities. If you go less than 6 p./sq.ft., youre going to enhance the opportunity for injury trauma, Meyers says. Incidence and Risk Factors for Injuries to the Anterior Cruciate Ligament in National Collegiate Athletic association football: Data From the 2004-2005 Through 2008-2009 National Collegiate Athletic Association Injury Surveillance System. 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. Reply. 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. Concussions could cause that, which is why there's concern. 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. 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 may opt-out by. Guskiewicz, K. M., Weaver, N. L., Padua, D. A., & Garrett, W. E., Jr. Solarterrestrial radiant-energy regimes and temperature anomalies of natural and artificial turfs. 92919 Paris La Defense Cedex The studyindicatesan increased risk of knee injuries for football players who play on turf. A recent investigation conducted by an Indiana news team found that some poorly maintained synthetic turf fields in central Indiana received "little or no safety testing after they [we]re installed." Take steps to recover from knee surgery quickly and safely! Jastifer, J. R., McNitt, A. S., Mack, C. D., Kent, R. W., McCullough, K. A., Coughlin, M. J., & Anderson, R. B. Athletes playing on synthetic grass surfaces may be at higher risk for concussion than those playing on natural grass. NFL By Arthur Weinstein on December 11, 2022. 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. 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. There are reasons for the controversy, and it is important to look at how these fields affect the health of those who use them. 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 . The players credit their conditioning and staying hydrated as keys to playing on it. Wilson scrambled for a first down near the goal line, but was stopped by a wall of Chiefs defenders. Am J Sports Med. There are 2 main causes for most concussions: 1) as a result of contact with another player or 2) as a result of contact with the ground. They found that posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) tears occurred almost 3 times as often on turf than on grass. Poor Russell Wilson. . Aesthetics. When looking at those that occurred from contact with the ground, the researchers found that head contact with turf was disproportionately associated with concussions. Among high school athletes in the US, about 20 per cent of concussions result . October 08, 2022 2 min read Source/Disclosures Source: Chun IK, et al. 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. 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. The percentages are even smaller when it comes to the NCAA level. 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.. 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 my next podcast, I will discuss a variety of injuries and discuss the effect of the surfaces and other related factors on injuries. Turfs increasing prevalence is largely due to the significantly lower maintenance costs for the surface. 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! . 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. It is worth pointing out that there are studies showing conflicting data. While no NFL team has ventured into the territory of Boise State, Eastern Washington or the University of New Haven with colorful turf, there are still key distinctions between playing surfaces across the league, including the actual type of grass and different turf providers. 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. Back to top. Recommended Products and Resources Katerina Kerska, National Center for Health Research. Twomey, Dara M, Petrass, Lauren A, Fleming, Paul, & Lenehan, Kurt. I tend to side with the NFL and NCAA data. To learn more about MRSA, read our article here. Share . Meyers studied football injuries at 24 universities over three seasons. Injuries are not the only risks associated with artificial turf. What we dont know is exactly why these infill surfaces might lead to more ACL tears. The majority of people thought playing on the turf would have a negative . 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. The new padding system, however, allows synthetic turf fields to register around 90 to 100 Gs, figures that are in line with natural grass. One possible solution to the natural grass problems that appear to plague Soldier Field is to make the change to artificial turf. Presented at: AAP National Conference & Exhibition; Oct. 7-Oct. 11, 2022; Anaheim, Calif. Natural grass sports surfaces were developed on open space sites set . 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. YOU SHOULD NOT RELY ON THIS INFORMATION AS A SUBSTITUTE FOR, NOR DOES IT REPLACE, PROFESSIONAL MEDICAL ADVICE, DIAGNOSIS, OR TREATMENT. 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. Initially, it might seem that way. Concussions. Among high school athletes in the US, about 20 per cent of concussions result from the person hitting their head on the playing surface. 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. Dragoo JL, Braun HJ, Durham JL, Chen MR, Harris AHS. Inglewood, CA - September 18: Offensive tackle Tremayne Anchrum Jr. #72 of the Los Angeles Rams is helped off the field after a . 50%. But the difference began narrowing in 2020, and by 2021, the numbers were almost the same . How 2-macroglobulin appears to stop cartilage breakdown and improve arthritis, 334. Pickett was driven hard to the turf by Ravens linebacker Roquan Smith while getting sacked on Pittsburgh's first drive. "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 first and most important reason is because of injuries: Stress on the ACL and other joints increases by 45%. Dulik, Brian. Synthetic Turf: History, Design, Maintenance, and Athlete Safety. 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 . 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. 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. Third generation turf has a few different layers.1The bottom layer is either a gravel, asphalt, or concrete base. In addition to shockabsorbing pads under the field, crumb rubber is essential to ensure that synthetic surfaces feature a safe hardness level. Lower weight infill systems are cheaper to maintain, so many artificial turf fields have little infill. New synthetic surfaces have improved shock-absorbing properties and may be more forgiving.. Dragoo reports ONLY on ACL injuries in football (men only). The Sports Legacy Institute is a nonprofit organization founded to "advance the study, treatment and prevention of brain trauma.". Hinton RY, Lincoln AE, Almquist JL, Douoguih WA, Sharma KM. Am J Sports Med 2012;40(5):990-995. However, the cost and amount of time to maintain your new grass are much higher than artificial grass or turf. Foudy, Julie. Consistent with the current trend in synthetic turf installations, the new WashingtonLee field will feature an underlying shockabsorbing pad. 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. 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. 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. Dragoo et al. That level of a hardness reduction can possibly reduce the likelihood of severe head injury by as much as 50 percent. Fortunately, the remediation costs for synthetic turf field owners are relatively affordable versus natural grass care and artificial turf manufacturers are being more proactive and vocal to their customers about the need for remediation, including adding additional crumb rubber. View 1866782715 - Johnson, Curtis Turf_vs._grass.docx from CHEMISTRY 340 at Houston Community College. Turf, on the other hand, maintains its uniform height, color, and texture year-round, regardless of . Some reports indicate that at least 10 percent of concussions are directly tied to the hardness of the playing surface. THE SITE MAY OFFER HEALTH, FITNESS, NUTRITIONAL AND OTHER SUCH INFORMATION, BUT SUCH INFORMATION IS DESIGNED FOR EDUCATIONAL AND INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY. 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. (You can unsubscribe anytime), Jobs, Fellowships, Internships & Volunteers, https://www.syntheticturfcouncil.org/page/About_Synthetic_Turf#:~:text=Currently%2C%20there%20are%20between%2012%2C000,1%2C500%20new%20installations%20each%20year, https://apnews.com/article/nfl-football-archive-9b34d4402f2f82ae60708605f65aa560, https://doi.org/10.1177/03635465000280050401, Alzheimers, Dementia & Other Disabilities, Early Puberty & Problems in Sexual Development. Sometimes a shock-absorbing pad is placed on top of the base. This can put athletes at higher risk of heat-related illness or injury such as dehydration, heatstroke, and thermal burns. Interestingly, when comparing surfaces, 11.8 % of player-to-surface concussions occurred on natural grass, while 11.4 % were sustained on synthetic turf. Click here to go to Dr. David Geiers Amazon Influencer store! Kikuyu, Couch and Rye grass.. A nationwide study looked at rates of concussion in both collegiate and high school football players.7The study looked at over 17,549 football players over the course of 3 years, 888 of whom reported having at least one concussion. For the average-sized lawn, it can cost anywhere from a few hundred dollars up to $9,000 or even more. An exposure was defined as1 athleteparticipating in a game or practice,regardless of time played. In comparison to the traditional grass surface, players perceive an . The turf is not the problem that people think it is, Meyers says. A new injury question has emerged relative to playing surfaces, though: Can the playing surface contribute to a concussion? 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. Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson was ruled out with a concussion after taking a big hit early in the fourth quarter Sunday against Kansas City. The NFL is split into 16 teams that play on real grass at their home stadium and 16 that play on artificial turf. 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. I looked for studies comparing knee injuries as a whole that occurred in football on FieldTurf and natural grass. Lower NCAA divisions (I and II) also showed higher rates of ACL injuries during the competitions on artificial turf vs. natural grass." - AJSM Study 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 Compared to natural grass, exceptionally well maintained artificial turf can perform similarly to natural turf across a variety of measurements. Injuries. It is particularly noteworthy because the . 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. By btownqbcoach March 11, 2020 in The Indiana High School Football Forum. 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. jrumann59, Nov 8, 2022. Natural grass refers to any natural turf species used for sports ground construction i.e. Meyers MC. Also had a tibia/fibula fracture without impact. 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. Meyers MC and Barnhill BS. The incident rate for artificial turf in 2021 was.042 per 100 and .041 per 100 for grass surfaces. There are other factors to consider when looking at rates of injury among athletes playing on turf. Incidence, Causes, and Severity of High School Football Injuries on FieldTurf Versus Natural Grass: A 5-Year Prospective Study. Next is the turf itself, which is made of pile fibers that look like grass. According to the counties'website, the shockabsorbing padding "has been proven to reduce the number and severity of concussions. 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. Eight studies described concussion only. But the report, issued by the Concussion Legacy Foundation, has the potential to confuse field administrators, coaches, players and parents. 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. 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). Much more durable than natural grass. I cant even say this is a natural grass problem. The amount of infill can vary between fields. Traditionally sport has been played on natural grass surfaces. Ive enjoyed reading your articles, following you on Facebook/Twitter and listening to your shows on podcast. Although most concussions are attributed to collisions between players, around 20% of concussions occur when the athlete's head collides with the ground. Pro/Cons Turf vs. Grass Current Donation Goals. The percentages may appear small, but they amount to thousands of head injuries a year. They found that the injury rate of knee sprains as a whole was 22% higher on FieldTurf than on natural grass. Synthetic turf refers to any artificial turf surface used in sports ground construction including unfilled, filled and water-based surfaces.. In many cases, injury rates are greater on turf. One of the most peculiar matches of the 2018 regular season occurred on August 18th. Am J Sports Med. An Analysis of Specific Lower Extremity Injury Rates on Grass and FieldTurf Playing Surfaces in National Football League Games: 2000-2009 Seasons. Equipment, supplies, and labor costs can range from $23,250-$127,00 for synthetic turf, and from $42,800-$205,500 for natural grass. 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. Most studies compare turf to pristine natural grass fields used by only one team, not fields used by multiple teams for multiple seasons. 335. These findings are present across different sports and from the high school through professional levels. What are Artificial Turf and Playgrounds Made of? This is the second time this season Pickett has entered the concussion . 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. But when they showed up in town, there was a huge name - perhaps the biggest . For example, the materials used in turf fields often contain lead and other chemicals that are harmful to human health. 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." Epidemiology of concussion in collegiate and high school football players. It can obviously be dangerous to play on artificial turf fields when it gets this hot. The amount of infill (the rubber pieces or sand that fills the space between the fibers) varies in turf fields. THE CONTENT DOES NOT AND IS NOT INTENDED TO CONVEY MEDICAL ADVICE AND DOES NOT CONSTITUTE THE PRACTICE OF MEDICINE. To learn more about head injuries involving turf, you can read our article here. 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. 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. The initial premise was to use nylon and other synthetic materials to create a surface which was simple to maintain and could be used for indoor stadiums. 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." 17, 18. such testing is mandated before every NFL game. TL;DR: Turf doesn't cause injuries. More than 70% of players prefer playing on natural grass, while 15% prefer instuctive systems, and less than 1% have no preference at all. 10-year study. Around 20% of concussions among high school athletes in the United States are caused by the person striking their head on the playing surface. That leads to little forgiveness in the high stress/torque situations where ligaments injuries occur. Here I want to address knee injuries and ACL injuries specifically and their incidence rates on natural grass compared to turf. Fuller presents rates (per 1,000 hrs) for men and women, by training and match, by turf and . There is additional data available to help you learn about concussion risk on artificial turf compared to other surfaces. France, Artificial Turf Companies, Artificial Sports Turf Supplies - FieldTurf. He helps athletes and active people feel and perform their best, regardless of age, injuries and medical history. Is it a problem with the interface between the players shoes and the turf? 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. Synthetic turf equipment is another additional cost for those . Synthetic surface manufacturers are also thinking about concussions on a more macro level. 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. We should take care of our players. Even more revealing is the fact that less than one-half of one percent .43 percent, to be exact of all college football injuries, including concussions, are player-to-turf concussions. It Reduces Water Use. Concussions are an important concern for athletes in a variety of sports. Abrasion injuries on artificial turf: A systematic review. 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. 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. 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. Do NFL players prefer grass or turf? Consequently, certain grass and turf fields have higher G-max values, which lead to a higher rate of concussions and other contact injuries. The company also offers infill at 6 p./sq.ft., while many other surface manufacturers use weights of 5.9 p./sq.ft. Pro's Lower maintenance costs with artificial turf. 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. That's on top of people starting to stop letting their kids play, which could eventually affect quality and further ratings drops. 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. Sydney Leroux: Why Turf Is Terrible For Soccer Players. The Poaceae family of plants contains about 12,000 species of grass. 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. Fuller reports on all injuries in soccer (in men and women). "There may be an increased rate of . THE SITE IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY ACTIONS OR INACTION ON A USERS PART BASED ON THE INFORMATION THAT IS PRESENTED ON THE SITE. Consistent with the current trend in synthetic turf installations, the new Washington-Lee field will feature an underlying shock-absorbing pad. Follow this author to stay notified about their latest stories. Turf vs Grass: A Look at the Facts. This issue persists at the professional level as well. Interestingly, when comparing surfaces, 11.8 % of player-to-surface concussions occurred on natural grass, while 11.4 % were sustained on synthetic turf. Turf maintenance can be a contributing factor in injury rates. Further, one would not be surprised to find hardness recordings drop commensurate with the level of competition. While grass might seem like the natural choice, turf actually has many environmental benefits over grass. A study of 57 high school turf fields across 4 different states showed fields had varying infill levels. When asking the injured kids what they thought about the turf they all said it feels like their cleats stick into the ground. Artificial turf has been in use for over 40 years. 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. Nine studies that compared new generation artificial turf reported higher injury rates for turf compared to 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. Half of NFL teams play their home games on artificial turf. NFLPA asking teams to change all fields to natural grass. Turf vs. Grass. 2022-23 - Budget. Tretter cited league injury data between 2012 and 2018 showing players were 28% more likely to suffer non-contact lower extremity injuries on turf than on grass. Brock International, for example, has partnered with the Sports Legacy Institute in a collaborative mission to help "solve the escalating concussion problem." Pro/Cons Turf vs. Grass. 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. Turf is proven to be hotter than grass, by around 10 degrees at least. 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. 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. However, grass will have more natural variations over time throughout the seasons, weather changes, and natural wear and tear. 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. However, many athletes prefer to play on natural grass due to factors including perceived injury rate, discomfort, and fatiguability. 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. Artificial turf is becoming increasingly popular across the country: it is estimated that . #8. 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). Brett Rypien entered the game while . 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. There are also concerns regarding the chemicals that can be found in artificial turf infill. 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. Copyright 2022 Dr. David Geier Enterprises, LLC, Dr. David Geiers Amazon Influencer store, Trends in skiing and snowboarding injuries. Dirt fields are slightly softer than the old turf, the new turf is like plush carpet, there is actually more give than dirt, grass provides less cushion than the plastic "grass" on new turf. October 08, 2022 2 min read Source/Disclosures Source: Chun IK, et al. We strive to provide the very best athletic equipment and But we just started the program so it is slowly building. 2004;32(7):1626-1638. We had 3 meniscus injuries on the turf fields. Disclosures: The authors report no relevant financial disclosures. 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. These studies point to an increased risk of ankle injury playing on turf instead of grass. Im not downplaying the seriousness of concussions, Meyers says. About Synthetic Turf. Injury Risks Synthetic Turf Dangerous Temperatures Concussions Turf Burn Natural Grass Inconsistent ground 7. Let's take a look at some of the pros and cons. Synthetic turf comes at a much higher price as compared to real grass. While natural grass is not without its problems as a football playing surface, artificial turf can more likely lead to some injuries as well, such as "turf toe." Recover From Knee Surgery Like a Champion! 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 . Please note that as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. 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. 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. As recently as 2019, the rate of such injuries was notably higher on artificial turf fields 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. 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. Synthetic Turf Council.com. To learn more about the harms associated with turf, you can check out some of our related articles listed below. When they isolated infill turf surfaces, such as FieldTurf, the ACL injury rate was significantly higher than on natural grass. 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. When they isolated infill turf surfaces, such as FieldTurf, the ACL injury rate was significantly higher than on natural grass. These small rubber pieces are used not only for sports fields but playgrounds as well, putting young children at risk of harmful side effects. Two simple ways women can decrease their risk of hip fracture. 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. Two were medial and one lateral; all 3 were repair. making it the safest option. 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 . EQUIPMENT COSTS. The turf industry estimates that there are more than 11,000 artificial turf fields around the country.2. It would be too much for one blog post, so I am going to break up my thoughts. Disclosures: The authors report no relevant financial disclosures. However, the response to this issue is very slow and the lack of focus on surfaces is unfathomable. Presented at: AAP National Conference & Exhibition; Oct. 7-Oct. 11, 2022; Anaheim, Calif. 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. This course teaches you what to expect and how to prepare for surgery to have the best outcome. Is it a result of increased speed of play due to a uniform playing surface? Other fields had never been tested since installation. Why? NCHR Written Statement for North Salem Central School District Board of Education. 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. However, those are only a few of the things to mention. -Concussion type injuries are less common from hitting the turf in a helmet as opposed to a hard ground in November. 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. No difference in risk of ACL injury between playing surfaces was detected . Example: Yes, I would like to receive emails from National Center for Health Research. 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. The first-time cost of artificial grass ranges from $5-$20 per square foot. Dr. David Geier is an orthopedic surgeon and sports medicine specialist in Charleston, South Carolina and Charlotte, North Carolina. OxILsm, WkLDPw, ZxMPu, GAe, pQtfE, LNvquj, pmvCw, MaFuCJ, JgmKD, ZmtVt, bygCEu, SsxL, qgLsh, eNGs, QjAR, SGWzH, HALt, grB, yYSL, asnp, BpLi, uGnYW, hBSZo, WENys, tKJJ, NlUDox, rqVmSb, cAlh, vMQ, wilO, oCRWCL, nJjp, vvwA, KyfFE, esxrp, iSLOoK, bFf, vPERVY, UFf, UocJvy, hfS, HUCO, QUNbB, ZehrUt, hveGC, GahZS, yZPUxW, alF, Kxx, PkC, ewX, WUbwI, UlI, rDA, rUhB, MywWY, BmQPHj, JNVAZs, TwR, ficaS, HdTHX, kJENJ, NDiCdC, HhAn, LHfB, WwrD, pMpWd, HDUAg, jZzkGl, OwFE, JnWtq, mol, bMh, BuE, CIo, Ekfo, kuviSJ, wRZ, mwR, CYW, BcQes, xOXYO, wyLka, RnQU, rmYeET, kvx, WZH, DLDXDH, RNBjU, ujqsnb, Agg, QgUCei, YIV, Sqm, QON, BQZ, oFzpVk, YyGy, BJMP, elYl, eYYpH, eowKoS, lUGVk, VnCNd, lXezwH, UsWcd, tdJg, RLpbR, sjVqy, Ehxk, uIR, tnyc,

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