Updating the overall format of the site.
Synthetic Turf or Natural Grass? Which is Best?
Concussions
As I noted on the About page, I became interested in learning more about synthetic turf when I walked across our opponent's synthetic turf field after a soccer game. The synthetic turf seemed very hard. Thoughts of our son's concussion during a soccer game (on natural grass turf) quickly came to mind. I'm sure that many of you that are reading this either know of a child that has had a concussion, or know of a family with a child that has had a concussion. I hope that your child is able to play sports, and never gets a concussion.
GMAX Values
It is obvious that the severity of a concussion would be proportional to the hardness of the surface that the child's head impacts. The harder the surface, the worse the concussion. "Impact testing (commonly referred to as g-max testing) measures the shock-attenuation performance of sports surfaces - including synthetic (artificial) turf and natural turf athletic fields." The American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) established the g-max standard, indicating that the g-max value of a playing surface should not exceed a value of 200.
Synthetic turf playing surfaces, especially if not properly maintained, have increasing g-max ratings as they age. Synthetic turf fields must be maintained adding infill (such as crumb or Nike Grind rubber) and by conducting g-max testing. G-max testing requires special test equipment and training to use the testing instruments. The cost estimates for these services range from $500 - $1000 per year. This link provides a G-max testing overview. http://www.turftest.com/gmax-overview.html
However, per ASTM, "studies and historical experience indicate the value of 200 g-max is intolerable as a threshold for human exposure. The synthetic turf industry, and their associations, as well as the National Football League has recognized that a lower threshold value is needed to reduce the risk of impact injuries. This lower threshold value is recommended by the F08.65 Subcommittee Task Group for Synthetic Turf Sports Fields specified in ASTM F1936-10" The current standard is being revised.
Natural grass turf fields, naturally have a lower g-max rating than synthetic turf fields. However, natural grass turf fields also need to be maintained. Any areas of a field that have clay or rock will have a higher g-max rating. Mulching the grass while mowing, through the use of mulching lawn mower blades, contributes not only to the natural fertilization of the grass but also likely contributes to reducing the g-max rating.
Selecting natural grass turf, instead of synthetic turf, is one answer for reducing the chance of a child getting a concussion. Remember when wearing a helmet while skiing wasn't cool? Now, most people wear helmets while skiing, much like people wear seat belts. There was time when baseball players didn't wear helmets. In time, protective headgear will required for many field sports, much like American football. Until then, a natural grass turf playing surface will help limit the number and severity of concussions.
As a side note, if you haven't already seen "Concussion", you'll find that Will Smith is amazing, as usual.
The story is very eye-opening. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt3322364/
Movie trailer here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Io6hPdC41RM
ACL (Anterior Cruciate Ligament) Tears
There are many, many articles and reports comparing the ACL tear rates on synthetic turf vs natural grass turf. The data is all over the map, though some are obviously sponsored by the synthetic turf industry. It is very hard to draw a solid conclusion.
10TV Artificial Turf can lead to Higher Risk of Injuries
https://www.facebook.com/turfvsgrass/videos/1180377512055107/
Football Injuries on Third and Fourth Generation Artificial Turfs Compared with Natural Turf
Study says NFL athletes more likely to suffer knee and ankle injuries on FieldTurf
Turf Burns
"A turf burn is caused by friction which generates heat and removes layers of skin, leaving a painful and unsightly “raspberry” abrasion. They hurt at the time, but not as much if left untreated. In fact left untreated it can be a gateway to serious infection."
Natural grass turf will "give" and tear the natural grass, leaving the player with a grass stain and maybe dirt on his or her leg. Synthetic turf does not "give", and instead tears the skin off of the player.
Soccer player Sydney Leroux's legs after a game on artificial turf.
Leroux has been active in the quest to replace artificial turf with natural grass for the 2015 Women's World Cup.
More on Turf Burns:
http://www.grassrootsirvington.org/turf-burn.html
References and More Information
https://www.facebook.com/turfvsgrass/videos
G-max Testing
http://www.turftest.com/gmax-overview.html
http://plantscience.psu.edu/research/centers/turf/extension/factsheets/playing-surfaces/gmax
Testing Your Turf
http://www.sportsfieldmanagementmagazine.com/columns/turf-health/testing-your-turf/
Turf issue: Most area schools not regularly testing safety of sports fields
Trouble in the Turf...
http://www.greensgroomer.com/In_The_News_WTHR_Article.html
Concussion Links
http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/subjects/f/football/head_injuries/index.html?inline=nyt-classifier
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/12/30/sports/football/concussion-report-highlights-field-maintenance.html?smid=tw-share&_r=2
http://www.wsj.com/articles/SB109710287489438559
http://www.astm.org/Standards/F1936.htm
http://www.astm.org/DATABASE.CART/WORKITEMS/WK38153.htm
http://www.canada.com/story_print.html?id=ae6322a5-278b-4206-82b4-4a4b596d4d2e&sponsor=
While Beckham didn't want to rattle any local feathers over the Field-Turf on the weekend, his teammate Landon Donovan had no trouble doing so.
"It sucks. It sucks," Donovan said after his team's practice on Saturday. "It's kind of a shame because you have a gorgeous stadium in a beautiful city, and then we come out and play on this.
"I don't know why they decided to cut corners there. It sucks."
Turf Burns
Sports Medicine: How to treat turf burns.
http://gohockey.com/sports-medicine-how-to-treat-turf-burns/
Artificial turf causes real injuries
http://www.theswcsun.com/artificialturf/
Turf Burns May Spread Dangerous Infection
http://www.webmd.com/fitness-exercise/20041112/turf-burns-may-spread-dangerous-infection
Turf burns and 120-degree fields show FIFA's contempt for the Women's World Cup
