Optimizing artificial turf

人造草皮表面相对于天然表面具有明显的优势，因为可以操纵表面的特定部件以将比赛表面的机械性能（即缓冲和牵引力）改变到期望的水平。研究表明，通过优化表面缓冲材料的性能，可以实现运动性能的提高。然而，这种表面刚度的优化还没有发生在人造草皮表面内。此外，对牵引的研究表明，过度的旋转牵引可导致下肢损伤。然而，目前尚不清楚人造草皮的各个组成部分，如填充高度，纤维长度和纤维密度如何影响旋转牵引力。本研究项目的主要目的是了解并优化填充人造草坪表面的表面刚度和表面牵引力的机械性能。 对于这个项目，表面刚度将通过改变：1）底层减震垫和ii）填充材料来系统地改变。20名运动员将在每个表面上执行四个不同的动作（短跑，敏捷性训练，垂直跳跃，耐力跑），并将测量性能，以确定导致最佳性能的刚度。将通过机械测试研究表面牵引力，以确定填充材料和纤维特性对旋转牵引力的单独影响。使用所有这些信息，将与制造商一起开发一种新的表面，通过1）实现最佳性能的刚度和2）通过填充和纤维改变减少旋转牵引力来优化。这种优化的表面将进行生物力学和性能测试，以量化新开发的表面对运动员运动模式和表面可玩性的影响。在项目完成后，FieldTurf将通过详细了解表面硬度如何改变运动员的运动模式和运动表现，以及人造草坪的不同组成部分如何影响牵引力，从而获得行业优势。菲尔德草坪将能够市场的表面具有最佳的刚度和牵引力的运动员。

Artificial turf surfaces hold a distinct advantage over natural surfaces, as specific components of the surface can be manipulated to alter the mechanical properties (i.e. cushioning and traction) of the playing surface to desired levels. Research has shown that, by optimizing properties of the surface cushioning materials, increases in athletic performance can be achieved. However, this optimization of surface stiffness has not occurred within artificial turf surfaces. Also, research into traction has indicated that excessive rotational traction can lead to lower extremity injuries. However, it is currently unknown how individual components of artificial turf such as infill height, fibre length and fibre density influence rotational traction. The main objective of this research program is to understand and then optimize the mechanical properties of surface stiffness and surface traction of infilled artificial turf surfaces. For this project, the surface stiffness will be systematically changed by altering: 1) the underlying shock pad and ii) the infill material. Twenty athletes will perform four different movements on each surface (sprint, agility drill, vertical jump, endurance run) and performance will be measured to determine the stiffness that leads to optimal performance. Surface traction will be investigated through mechanical testing to determine the individual contribution that infill material and fibre characteristics have on rotational traction. Using all this information, a new surface optimized by 1) implementing the stiffness for optimal performance and 2) reducing rotational traction through infill and fibre alterations will be developed with the manufacturer. This optimized surface will undergo biomechanical and performance testing to quantify the influence of the newly developed surface on athlete movement patterns and surface playability. At the completion of the project FieldTurf will have an industry advantage through a detailed understanding of how surface stiffness alters athlete movement patterns and athletic performance as well as how different components of artificial turf affect traction. FieldTurf will be able to market their surface as having an optimal stiffness and traction for athletes.