Synthetic Turf: History, Design, Maintenance, and Athlete Safety

Jastifer, James R.; McNitt, Andrew S.; Mack, Christina; Kent, Richard W.; McCullough, Kirk A.; Coughlin, Michael J.; Anderson, Robert B.

doi:10.1177/1941738118793378

Cited by 40 publications

(73 citation statements)

References 40 publications

(55 reference statements)

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“…Biomechanical tests have shown that artificial fields have the capacity to generate potentially injurious loading magnitudes before releasing the cleat in the setting of elite athletic competition compared with the release loads observed on natural surfaces. [10][11][12] Knowledge of injury patterns and characteristics of injuries can facilitate injury prevention strategies such as periodization of training and modified scheduling, refinements of the rules and styles of play, and improved strength and conditioning programs, especially as players return from the offseason to training camp and acclimate to football activity. Postinjury rehabilitation, appropriate return to play, and education of all stakeholders-players, coaches, and medical, strength, and performance personnel-is paramount to guide training, equipment selection, and other prevention strategies.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Incidence of Lower Extremity Injury in the National Football League: 2015 to 2018

et al. 2020

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Background: Lower extremity injuries are the most common injuries in professional sports and carry a high burden to players and teams in the National Football League (NFL). Injury prevention strategies can be refined by a foundational understanding of the occurrence and effect of these injuries on NFL players. Purpose: To determine the incidence of specific lower extremity injuries sustained by NFL players across 4 NFL seasons. Study Design: Descriptive epidemiology study. Methods: This retrospective, observational study included all time-loss lower extremity injuries that occurred during football-related activities during the 2015 through 2018 seasons. Injury data were collected prospectively through a leaguewide electronic health record (EHR) system and linked with NFL game statistics and player participation to calculate injury incidence per season and per 10,000 player-plays for lower extremity injuries overall and for specific injuries. Days lost due to injury were estimated through 2018 for injuries occurring in the 2015 to 2017 seasons. Results: An average of 2006 time-loss lower extremity injuries were reported each season over this 4-year study, representing a 1-season risk of 41% for an NFL player. Incidence was stable from 2015 to 2018, with an estimated total missed time burden each NFL season of approximately 56,700 player-days lost. Most (58.7%) of these injuries occurred during games, with an overall higher rate of injuries observed in preseason compared with regular season (11.5 vs 9.4 injuries per 10,000 player-plays in games). The knee was the most commonly injured lower extremity region (29.3% of lower body injuries), followed by the ankle (22.4%), thigh (17.2%), and foot (9.1%). Hamstring strains were the most common lower extremity injury, followed by lateral ankle sprains, adductor strains, high ankle sprains, and medial collateral ligament tears. Conclusion: Lower extremity injuries affect a high number of NFL players, and the incidence did not decrease over the 4 seasons studied. Prevention and rehabilitation protocols for these injuries should continue to be prioritized.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Incidence of Lower Extremity Injury in the National Football League: 2015 to 2018

et al. 2020

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“…Suspected concussions most commonly occurred while a student was on a playground/playfield in elementary school. Proper maintenance and repair of playing surfaces 25‐27 and proper use and fit of equipment (eg, helmets) 28‐30 may help reduce the risk for concussions and other injuries during play. Prior studies note that playground use, such as playing on the monkey bars and swings, is associated with the most emergency department visits for SRR traumatic brain injuries, including concussions among elementary school‐age children in the United States 8,31 .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Prevalence of Suspected Concussions Among K‐12 Students in Utah: Findings From Utah's Student Injury Reporting System

Waltzman

Daugherty

Sarmiento

et al. 2021

Journal of School Health

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BACKGROUND To inform prevention strategies, this study provides incidence, factors, and actions taken when a suspected concussion occurred in K‐12 schools in Utah. METHODS Data were collected using Utah's Student Injury Reporting System (SIRS) from the academic years 2011‐2012 to 2018‐2019. SIRS is a unique online system that tracks injuries that occur in the school setting among K‐12 students in Utah. Descriptive statistics were computed to characterize students with a suspected concussion. Chi‐square (χ2) analysis looking at characteristics by school level was also conducted. RESULTS Over 63,000 K‐12 students in Utah sustained an injury at school during the study period. Suspected concussions comprised 10% of all injuries. The prevalence of concussions was highest among males (60.6%) and elementary school students (42.6%) and most often occurred outdoors (57.6%) or on a playground/playfield (33.9%), and in sports‐ and recreation‐related activities (75.1%) (specifically contact sports, 24.0%). Most students with a suspected concussion were absent 1 day or less from school (71.4%) but about 68% were seen by a medical professional. Further, there were differences by school level. Females and students playing contact sports had a higher percentage of suspected concussions as school level increased, whereas males and concussions sustained during school hours had a lower percentage of suspected concussions as school level increased. CONCLUSIONS SIRS enables schools in Utah to identify groups at risk for concussion, as well as activities most commonly associated with these injuries, within the school environment. Using this information, schools may implement targeted prevention strategies to protect students.

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“…10 Backing usually consists of polyester or polypropylene with a secondary layer of latex or urethane, 11 while blades are typically polyethylene. The filling material is highly variable 12 but has historically consisted of crumb rubber made of shredded, recycled Styrene-Butadiene Rubber (SBR) tires. 13,14 Other fillings include virgin materials such as Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer (EPDM) and Thermoplastic Elastomers (TPE), or natural materials like sand, cork, coconut fibre or walnut shells.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Widespread Occurrence of Non-Extractable Fluorine in Artificial Turfs from Stockholm, Sweden

Lauria

Naim

Plassmann

et al. 2022

Preprint

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Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are frequently used in the production of rubber and plastic, but little is known about the identity, concentration, or prevalence of PFAS in these products. In this study, a representative sample of plastic- and rubber-containing artificial turf (AT) fields from Stockholm, Sweden, were subjected to total fluorine (TF), extractable organic fluorine (EOF) and target PFAS analysis. TF was observed in all 51 AT samples (range: 16-313, 12-310, and 24-661 µg F/g in backing, filling, and blades, respectively), while EOF and target PFAS occurred in <42% of all samples (<200 and <1 ng F/g, respectively). A subset of samples extracted with water confirmed the absence of fluoride. Moreover, application of the total oxidizable precursor assay revealed negligible perfluoroalkyl acid (PFAA) formation across all three sample types, indicating that the fluorinated substance(s) in AT are not low molecular weight PFAA-precursors. Collectively, these results point towards polymeric organofluorine (e.g. fluoroelastomer, polytetrafluoroethylene, polyvinylidene fluoride), consistent with patent literature. The combination of poor extractability and recalcitrance towards advanced oxidation suggests that the fluorine in AT does not pose an imminent risk to users. However, concerns remain surrounding the production and end-of-life of ATs, as well as the contribution of filling to environmental microplastic contamination.

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Synthetic Turf: History, Design, Maintenance, and Athlete Safety

Cited by 40 publications

References 40 publications

Incidence of Lower Extremity Injury in the National Football League: 2015 to 2018

Incidence of Lower Extremity Injury in the National Football League: 2015 to 2018

Prevalence of Suspected Concussions Among K‐12 Students in Utah: Findings From Utah's Student Injury Reporting System

Widespread Occurrence of Non-Extractable Fluorine in Artificial Turfs from Stockholm, Sweden

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