Selection and management of sports grounds : Does surface heat matter?
- Authors: Twomey, Dara , Petrass, Lauren , Harvey, Jack , Otago, Leonie , Rossignol, Peter
- Date: 2016
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Journal of Facility Planning, Design, and Management Vol. 4, no. 1 (2016), p. 33-47
- Full Text: false
- Reviewed:
- Description: Little evidence exists on the surface temperatures experienced on third generation (3G) artificial turf sports surfaces. Without this fundamental information, it is difficult for local government organizations, governing bodies of sport, or facility managers to determine whether these surfaces are the most appropriate option for their venues and whether different management strategies need to be applied if these surfaces are installed in hot climates. Ambient and surface temperature, relative humidity, wind speed, and cloud cover were measured on two natural grass and two adjacent artificial turf surfaces. The highest temperatures were recorded on 3G artificial turf (M = 46.3°C, maximum = 86.6°C) and the lowest on irrigated natural grass (M = 24.1°C, maximum = 49.4°C). Overall, surface temperature was significantly associated with ambient temperature, wind speed , and cloud cover and with the interaction between ambient termperature and surface type. The current findings have implications for sport surface selection and management, particularly in hot climates.
Comparison of surface temperatures of different synthetic turf systems and natural grass: Have advances in synthetic turf technology made a difference
- Authors: Petrass, Lauren , Twomey, Dara , Harvey, Jack , Otago, Leonie , Lerossignol, Peter
- Date: 2015
- Type: Text , Conference paper
- Relation: Vol. 229
- Full Text: false
- Reviewed:
- Description: Few studies have considered surface temperatures on the most recent synthetic turf products, and no empirical evidence is available on the more technologically advanced cool climate synthetic products which claim to reduce surface temperature. This article compared surface temperatures of typical third-generation synthetic turf with a cool climate product and also compared the synthetic turf products to natural grass to determine whether synthetic turf reacts differently to environmental factors and hence may increase heat-related health risks for participants. Surface temperatures were significantly associated with ambient temperature (F3,376 = 116.02, p < 0.001), relative humidity (F1,376 = 10.15, p = 0.028), and wind (F1,376 = 1.45, p = 0.004) having smaller effects. After adjustment for covariates, mean surface temperatures were significantly lower (40.79 °C) on a cool climate field compared to a typical third-generation field (44.91 °C), although both synthetic fields were considerably warmer than natural grass at the same venue (by 12.46 °C at the metropolitan venue and 22.15 °C at the regional venue). These findings provide initial insight into the potential value of cool climate products and will aid both design and development of synthetic turf products for the future. © IMechE 2014.
The effect of stud configuration on rotational traction using the studded boot apparatus
- Authors: Twomey, Dara , Connell, Monique , Petrass, Lauren , Otago, Leonie
- Date: 2013
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Sports Engineering Vol. 16, no. 1 (2013), p. 21-27
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Due to its associated injury risk, rotational traction is a frequently measured natural turf surface property. The most commonly used equipment, the studded boot apparatus (SBA), consists of a circular stud configuration that does not replicate the stud pattern on a regular football boot and may under or over estimate the surface traction. The aim of this study was to establish potential differences in the rotational traction measured between the current stud configuration on the SBA and the stud configuration on the most commonly used Australian football boots. The original studded boot had significantly higher rotational traction than the moulded stud sole or bladed sole. Location, quality and time tested all interacted significantly with the rotational traction measured. The current SBA may not accurately represent the rotational traction experienced by football players, and consequently may not be the most appropriate configuration to assess the relationship between rotational traction and injuries. © 2012 International Sports Engineering Association.
- Description: 2003010831