Risk of injury on third-generation artificial turf in Norwegian professional football

AbstractThis study aimed to analyse the influence of the FIFA Quality PRO certification of artificial turf pitches on the physical, physiological performance and muscle damage in soccer players. Fifteen healthy male players (21.2 ± 1.4 years; 178.2 ± 4.3 cm; 79.1 ± 8.3 kg) from a university football team were selected to participate in the research. Mechanical properties related to surface–player interaction were assessed on the two surfaces selected for this study. A randomized design was used and the players performed the Ball-sport Endurance and Sprint Test (BEAST90) on the different artificial turf fields. Average time of the 20 m sprints was longer on the FIFA Quality Pro surface than on the non-certified pitch (+ 0.13 s; p < 0.05; CI 95% − 0.01 to 0.27; ES: 0.305). The players’ perceived effort was higher in the first (+ 2.64; p < 0.05; CI 95% 0.92 to 4.35; ES: 1.421) and the second half (+ 1.35; p < 0.05; CI 95% − 0.02 to 2.72; ES: 0.637) of the test on the FIFA Quality Pro field. Comparative analysis between surfaces showed no significant differences in the time spent in each of the heart rate zones and higher concentrations of CK (+ 196.58; p > 0.05; CI 95% 66.54 to 326.61; ES: 1.645) were evidenced in the non-certified pitch surface. In response to a simulated match protocol, markers of post-exercise muscle damage may be reduced on accredited artificial turf fields. These insights can provide the opportunity to maximize the efficiency of training sessions and reduce the risk of injury during the season.

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Does Ramadan Affect the Risk of Injury in Professional Football?

Clinical Journal of Sport Medicine ◽

10.1097/jsm.0b013e31828a2bfb ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 23 (4) ◽

pp. 261-266 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Cristiano Eirale ◽

Johannes L. Tol ◽

Faten Smiley ◽

Abdulaziz Farooq ◽

Hakim Chalabi

Keyword(s):

Professional Football ◽

Risk Of Injury

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Influence of different playing surfaces on bone mass accretion in male adolescent football players: A one-season study

Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers Part P Journal of Sports Engineering and Technology ◽

10.1177/1754337119864245 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 233 (4) ◽

pp. 536-547

Author(s):

Gabriel Lozano-Berges ◽

Ángel Matute-Llorente ◽

Alejandro Gómez-Bruton ◽

Alex González-Agüero ◽

Germán Vicente-Rodríguez ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Bone Mineral Density ◽

Lumbar Spine ◽

Bone Mass ◽

Bone Mineral ◽

Elastic Layer ◽

Areal Bone Mineral Density ◽

Football Players ◽

Third Generation ◽

Artificial Turf ◽

Mineral Density

There are different surfaces on which football is played, but their influence on bone mass accretion still remains unknown. The aims of this study were to compare bone mass accretion between football players and controls, and evaluate the influence of two different playing surfaces on bone accretion. A total of 27 male football players (13.2 ± 0.5 years) and 15 controls (12.6 ± 1.1 years) participated in this study. Football players were classified into two groups according to the surface they trained on: 14 on third-generation artificial turf with elastic layer and 13 on third-generation artificial turf without elastic layer. Bone mineral content and areal bone mineral density were measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Bone mineral apparent density variables were calculated. Bone geometry and strength of the non-dominant tibia were assessed with peripheral quantitative computed tomography. For both football players and controls, bone variables measured at subtotal body, lumbar spine, legs and tibia ( p < 0.05) significantly increased. Based on the time spent practicing football, the increase in areal bone mineral density for the legs ( p < 0.05) was higher in football players than controls. Moreover, lumbar spine bone mineral apparent density increased more in third-generation artificial turf without elastic layer players in comparison with third-generation artificial turf with elastic layer players ( p < 0.05). Playing football on third-generation artificial turf with elastic layer and third-generation artificial turf without elastic layer seems to positively affect bone mass during growth. After playing for one season on these playing surfaces, football practice on third-generation artificial turf without elastic layer with the lower shock absorption seems to have produced the highest increment in areal bone mineral density at lumbar spine. Thus, football practice on surfaces with lower shock absorption could provide an extra benefit on bone health.

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