At AstroTurf, we understand that selecting a high-quality turf system is paramount when building a state-of-the-art sports facility. The performance, safety, and longevity of the surface significantly impact both athletes and facility owners. To ensure these expectations are met, we employ a series of rigorous tests that adhere to the standards set by leading national and international sports governing bodies. Partnering with major educational institutions and third-party testing services, we leverage the latest research, testing, and development to deliver top-notch turf systems.
Here’s a deep dive into the key testing protocols we use at AstroTurf to guarantee the performance and safety of our products:
Shock Absorption: Balancing Firmness and Comfort
Shock absorption is crucial in sports surfaces, especially for playing fields and athletic tracks. This test measures the surface’s ability to absorb the impact force generated by athletes’ movements, reducing the risk of injury and enhancing performance. A lower shock absorption percentage indicates a firmer surface, preferred for certain sports requiring solid footing. However, balance is essential to ensure athletes receive necessary support without compromising safety.
At AstroTurf, our approach to shock absorption involves advanced materials and innovative design techniques. Our surfaces are engineered to prevent injuries related to impact and overuse, ensuring athletes perform at their best with optimal firmness and shock absorption. As technology evolves, we continue to tailor our surfaces to meet the specific needs of various sports, enhancing athletes’ well-being and performance worldwide.
GMAX: Ensuring Superior Shock Attenuation
GMAX testing assesses the shock attenuation performance of turf, providing critical data on how well the surface can absorb and dissipate energy upon impact. This is vital for reducing the risk of concussions and other impact-related injuries. A lower GMAX value signifies better shock attenuation, indicating a safer playing surface for athletes.
Our focus at AstroTurf is on exceeding industry standards, offering the safest possible playing surfaces. Through rigorous testing and continuous innovation, our products deliver superior GMAX performance. This commitment to safety and quality makes AstroTurf a leader in creating sports surfaces that protect and enhance athlete performance across various sports.
Lisport XL Testing: Comprehensive Performance Assessment
Lisport XL Testing evaluates the performance and safety features of artificial turf systems beyond basic measures. This testing protocol assesses how well the surface replicates natural grass playing conditions, analyzing factors such as shock absorption, vertical deformation, and rotational resistance. The goal is to ensure the surface protects athletes from injuries while enhancing performance by providing a consistent, reliable playing field.
Our adherence to rigorous Lisport XL Testing standards reflects our dedication to innovation and excellence in artificial sports surfaces. By meeting these high standards, we ensure our products offer the highest level of safety and performance, supporting athletes’ peak performance while prioritizing their health and safety.
Vertical Deformation: Ensuring Stability and Responsiveness
Vertical deformation measures how much a surface compresses under load, impacting the stability and responsiveness of the playing field. Optimal vertical deformation ensures efficient impact absorption, reducing injury risk while returning enough energy to the athlete for high-performance play.
Our design philosophy emphasizes the balance of safety and performance, with vertical deformation being a critical factor. By carefully controlling vertical deformation, we ensure athletes enjoy both protection and the ability to perform at their best, achieved through high-quality materials and cutting-edge technology.
Rotational Resistance: Preventing Injuries through Optimal Grip
Rotational resistance measures a sports surface’s ability to prevent athletes’ feet from rotating too easily, crucial for sports involving rapid direction changes. Proper rotational resistance provides sufficient grip while allowing natural movement, reducing the risk of sprains and strains.
We meticulously test and refine the surface characteristics to ensure the ideal balance of grip and flexibility, aiding in injury prevention and enhancing performance. This commitment to research and development demonstrates our dedication to providing surfaces that meet the highest standards of safety and performance.
Infill: Enhancing Performance through Material Innovation
Infill plays a pivotal role in the functionality and performance of artificial turf systems, contributing to shock absorption, stability, and overall feel underfoot. The choice of infill material affects the surface’s characteristics, including temperature, resilience, and natural grass behavior simulation.
At AstroTurf, we lead in researching and utilizing innovative infill options to enhance safety and performance. By exploring various materials and compositions, we tailor our products to meet specific athletic requirements and environmental conditions, ensuring superior playing experience with the right balance of firmness, resilience, and natural feel.
Energy Restitution: Balancing Performance and Safety
Energy restitution measures how much energy is returned to the athlete from the sports surface during play. High energy restitution can enhance performance by providing additional lift and propulsion. However, it’s essential to balance energy restitution with safety to prevent injuries from excessive force return.
Our advanced turf systems focus on optimizing energy restitution without compromising safety. Through meticulous research and design, we develop surfaces that offer the perfect blend of energy return and shock absorption, enhancing athlete performance by facilitating efficient movement and reducing fatigue.
Head Injury Prevention: Prioritizing Athlete Safety
Head injury prevention is a paramount concern in sports surface design. Effective impact absorption can mitigate the risk of concussions and other traumatic brain injuries. Lower GMAX and HIC (Head Injury Criterion) values indicate softer surfaces, reducing the likelihood of severe injuries during impacts.
We are committed to reducing head injury risks through advanced materials science and engineering. Our products aim to set industry-leading safety standards, ensuring athletes rely on AstroTurf surfaces for a safer playing environment, reflecting our dedication to athlete health and safety.
Free Pile Height: Achieving Natural Feel and Performance
Free pile height refers to the length of fibers in an artificial turf system not bound by infill, determining the turf’s texture, appearance, and natural grass simulation. A higher free pile height offers a softer feel and more natural look but must be balanced with durability and performance needs.
We optimize free pile height across our product range, ensuring each turf system provides the ideal combination of softness, aesthetic appeal, and performance. By selecting materials and engineering turf systems to meet rigorous standards, we deliver surfaces that look and feel natural while supporting high levels of athletic performance and safety.
Conclusion: Our Commitment to Quality and Safety
At AstroTurf, our dedication to quality, safety, and innovation is evident in our comprehensive testing protocols and advanced turf systems. By adhering to rigorous standards and continuously improving our products, we ensure athletes compete on surfaces designed for peak performance and safety. Whether it’s shock absorption, GMAX performance, or vertical deformation, AstroTurf leads the industry in creating superior sports surfaces that prioritize athlete welfare and performance excellence.
About AstroTurf
For athletes and sports enthusiasts, AstroTurf has revolutionized the game. The brand offers advanced, multi-sport, and specialized synthetic turf systems equipped with proprietary engineered technologies. A growing number of high schools, colleges, professional sports teams, and municipalities are choosing AstroTurf-branded products for their premium quality, technical superiority, and safety. For more information, visit astroturf.com.