Abstract
The aim of this research was to evaluate the influence of the mechanical properties of artificial turf systems on soccer players’ performance. A battery of perceptive physiological and physical tests were developed on four different structural systems of artificial turf (System 1: Compacted gravel sub-base without elastic layer; System 2: Compacted gravel sub-base with elastic layer; System 3: Asphalt sub-base without elastic layer; System 4: Asphalt sub-base with elastic layer). The sample was composed of 18 soccer players (22.44±1.72 years) who typically train and compete on artificial turf. The artificial turf system with less rotational traction (S3) showed higher total time in the Repeated Sprint Ability test in comparison to the systems with intermediate values (49.46±1.75 s vs 47.55±1.82 s (S1) and 47.85±1.59 s (S2); p<0.001). The performance in jumping tests (countermovement jump and squat jump) and ball kicking to goal decreased after the RSA test in all surfaces assessed (p<0.05), since the artificial turf system did not affect performance deterioration (p>0.05). The physiological load was similar in all four artificial turf systems. However, players felt more comfortable on the harder and more rigid system (S4; visual analogue scale = 70.83±14.28) than on the softer artificial turf system (S2; visual analogue scale = 54.24±19.63). The lineal regression analysis revealed a significant influence of the mechanical properties of the surface of 16.5%, 15.8% and 7.1% on the mean time of the sprint, the best sprint time and the maximum mean speed in the RSA test respectively. Results suggest a mechanical heterogeneity between the systems of artificial turf which generate differences in the physical performance and in the soccer players’ perceptions.
Highlights
Soccer is a sport defined by periods of high intensity, with phases of recovery in which there are interspersed actions such as jumps, runs and kicks with frequent accelerations and direction changes [1,2,3,4]
A longer fibre, an improvement of the mechanical properties of the infill and the perfection of the structural component of support, have been enough to gain the backing of the Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) and the European Committee for Standardization (CEN) for these kind of surfaces to be used for playing soccer, through the corresponding quality control test adjusted to rigorous requirements [24,25,26]
This research exposes the influence of the mechanical heterogeneity of the artificial turf system on the sport performance, which is evaluated through specific tests
Summary
Soccer is a sport defined by periods of high intensity, with phases of recovery in which there are interspersed actions such as jumps, runs and kicks with frequent accelerations and direction changes [1,2,3,4]. The effect of external variables such as nutritional supplements [11], recovery treatment [12], the temperature [13] or the situational variables are increasingly studied. One of these external variables that has an influence on the game is the sports surface. The first comparative studies between surfaces focused on the lower injury rates associated with natural grass compared to those associated with artificial turf [19,20]. A longer fibre, an improvement of the mechanical properties of the infill and the perfection of the structural component of support, have been enough to gain the backing of the Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) and the European Committee for Standardization (CEN) for these kind of surfaces to be used for playing soccer, through the corresponding quality control test adjusted to rigorous requirements [24,25,26]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
