Synthetic Turfgrass and the Nine Principles of Florida-Friendly Landscaping™

Synthetic turf is a manufactured product that utilizes synthetic fibers that mimic the aesthetic look of natural grass. While designed to imitate the look of natural turf, synthetic turf does not provide the ecosystem benefits of a natural turf system. This publication examines the properties of synthetic turf in relation to each of FFL’s nine principles. A new publication of the UF/IFAS Environmental Horticulture Department; 4 pages.https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ep612

Effect of different bowling surfaces on bowling speed of pace bowlers: A cross-sectional study

Objectives Cricket is a popular game played across many countries in varied playing conditions ranging from ball, bowling surface, outfield and weather. Speed of bowling is a significant factor that can decide result of any match; and therefore, it always attracts sports professionals to study and analyse it in detail. Methods This research presents an original field-based study carried out to understand the effect of different bowling surfaces (natural turf and concrete) on bowling speed of 41 fast and medium pace asymptomatic bowlers having no injuries, especially to the shoulder joint and back, during 3 months before participation in this study. This single occasion cross-sectional design study comprised of Physical profile evaluation and Bowling velocity assessment performed with SRA 3000 Tracer Precision Radar gun. Results This research discusses the statistical analysis of the observations with the help of mean value, standard deviation and t-value and concludes that the ball speed decreases less after pitching on the cement-based pitch than natural turf. The data signify that on the concrete-based pitch the post pitching speed remains slightly higher and Pitch pace which is difference at 2 ends of the pitch is decreased. Conclusion Potential applications of this field research are also presented, which include development of judgement and accurate bat swing according to ball speed; fair degree of confidence in replacing season cricket ball with a tennis ball for practice sessions from the speed point of view and ascertaining the need of safety equipment.

Effect of Natural Turf, Artificial Turf, and Sand Surfaces on Sprint Performance. A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

The aim of this study was to analyze the influence of natural turf, artificial turf, and sand on sprint performance in different sports and to determine how the sport surface affects sprint performance. A systematic search was conducted in Pubmed, Web of Sciences, and SPORTDiscus databases. Out of 5644 studies, 11 studies were included in the meta-analysis. The studies were very heterogeneous, as they examined different structural characteristics or quality parameters. The studies on natural turf and sand showed significant improvements on sprint speed during training. On the other hand, the analysis of fatigue did not reveal significant differences in the deterioration of sprint speed on both natural and artificial turf. Significance was set at p < 0.05. In conclusion, although lower performance in sprint was reported on sand, further studies are needed to explain the differences in sprint on natural and artificial turf.

The influence of 5-iron clubhead mass distribution on clubhead presentation and initial ball launch conditions – Part II: Player tests

Iron clubheads can be classified as blades or perimeter-weighted, depending on the distribution of their mass. Despite the widely held views that perimeter-weighting can offer performance benefits for lesser skilled players, a direct comparison with players using these two clubhead types has not been thoroughly investigated. The aims of the study were to determine differences in clubhead presentation and ball launch between a blade 5-iron and a cavity-back 5-iron in a mixed cohort of golfers and examine trends in central tendency and variability in relation to skill for males using the blade club. Nine clubhead presentation variables and six ball launch variables were measured for 96 participants hitting shots from natural turf with each of the clubs. Group means for club effect were analysed statistically using an independent samples approach, whilst a rank-based nonparametric test was used to determine significant trends between handicap categories and ball launch conditions for the male cohort. The cavity-back displayed higher effective loft, lower effective lie and a tendency to have ball strikes closer to the centre. Higher values were also noted for the cavity-back for vertical launch angle and total spin. As expected, higher handicap male golfers showed lesser consistency and displayed slower ball speeds and lower efficiency than the more skilled players. Together these results concur with the findings in Part I in support of the theory of ‘forgiveness’ associated with cavity-back clubs, whilst also highlighting the over-riding importance of skill level on performance.

Measurement of degradation on under-utilized natural turf

The role of turf serving animal husbandry is significantly declining with the decreasing number of grazing livestock in Hungary. Accordingly, the area of under-utilized or non-utilized turfs is increasing. At the University of Debrecen, Institutes for Agricultural Research and Educational Farm, Karcag Research Institute we studied four types of turf utilization in three repetitions on a salt meadow with Alopecurus pratensis. As a result of the performed examinations, we identified the composition of the flora structure on the investigated area and we measured carbon-dioxide circulation and soil moisture.

Sprint pattern analysis of professional female soccer players on artificial and natural turf (Análisis del patrón de carrera en jugadoras de fútbol femenino en césped artificial y natural)

Introduction: There is few evidence that details the behavior of each spatiotemporal variable of the running pattern of female soccer players using different surfaces. Objective: To describe the spatiotemporal variables of the sprint pattern developed on natural and artificial turf by professional female soccer players. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on nineteen (n=19) professional athletes with an average age of 22.3 years, who´s sprint spatiotemporal variables were evaluated in a natural (Bermuda 419) and artificial (Star 2) playing field through an optical measurement system (Opto Gait, Italy). The analysis of the differences of the space and time variables by turf was done with the Wilcoxon test for paired data and the differences in speed and acceleration by playing position was done using the Kruskal–Wallis test. The Spearman test was used to compare the correlation between speed, acceleration and anthropometric variables. Finally, an alpha level of 5% was considered for the whole analysis. Results: On the natural turf, the speed and cadence of the players were higher; on the artificial turf, the energy, flight time, contact phase and step angle were higher (p<0.05). On the other hand, an indirect relationship was observed between speed, contact time, percentage and fat weight (p=0.01). Conclusion: Our results suggest that the natural turf, Bermuda 419, allows for a faster sprinting patterns, characterized by lower energy use, flight time, contact phase and step angle. Resumen. Introducción: Existe poca evidencia que detalle el comportamiento de cada variable espaciotemporal del patrón de carrera de mujeres futbolistas utilizando diferentes superficies. Objetivo: describir las variables espacio temporales del patrón de carrera desarrollado en superficie natural y artificial por mujeres futbolistas profesionales. Métodos: se realizó un estudio de corte transversal en diecinueve (n=19) deportistas profesionales con un promedio de edad de 22.3 años, a quienes se les evaluaron las variables espacio temporales de la carrera en césped natural (Bermuda 419) y artificial (Star 2) a través de un sistema de medición óptico (Opto Gait). El análisis de las diferencias de las variables espacio temporales fue realizado con el test de Wilcoxon para datos pareados y las diferencias en la velocidad y aceleración fue realizados usando el test Kruskal-Wallis. El test de Spearman se usó para comparar la correlación entre las variables de velocidad, aceleración y antropométricas. Finalmente, un nivel de alpha de 5% fue considerado para el análisis total. Resultados: en la superficie natural, la velocidad y cadencia de las futbolistas fueron superiores; sobre superficie artificial, la energía, el tiempo de vuelo, la fase de contacto y el ángulo de paso fueron más altas (p<0.05). De otra parte, se observó una relación indirecta entre la velocidad, tiempo de contacto, porcentaje y peso graso (p=0.01). Conclusión: nuestros resultados sugieren que la superficie natural, Bermuda 419, permite un patrón de carrera más rápido, caracterizado por un menor uso de energía, tiempo de vuelo, fase de contacto y ángulo de paso.

High Load Stress-Strain Property of Natural Turf for Professional Use, Various Types of Natural, Hybrid and Artificial Turfs in Football

High load quasi stress-strain (qSS) properties of professionally maintained natural turf (N-pro) was compared with eight natural, hybrid or artificial turfs: one professionally maintained natural turf in a sub field and one grown in a test field without maintenance, two hybrid turfs (one in the sub field and one grown in the test field without maintenance), three new artificial turfs (sand, rubber and sand/rubber infill) and one aged artificial turf (eight years old with sand/rubber infill). N-pro was characterized with a distinctive magnitude of plastic deformation and hysteresis profile, indicating its more energy absorbable properties compared to the artificial turfs. Apparent differences exist between N-pro and other natural turfs, suggesting factors such as daily maintenance work and sod compositions are very influential. Clear differences were also observed when the hybrid turf was professionally maintained. The aged artificial turf becomes substantially stiffer indicating usage over years affects the stiffness.

Could a Compliant Foam Anvil Characterize the Biofidelic Impact Response of Equestrian Helmets?

The performance of equestrian helmets to protect against brain injuries caused by fall impacts against compliant surfaces such as turf has not been studied widely. We characterize the kinematic response of simulated fall impacts to turf through field tests on horse racetracks and laboratory experiments. The kinematic response characteristics and ground stiffness at different going ratings (GRs) (standard measurement of racetrack condition) were obtained from 1 m and 2 m drop tests of an instrumented hemispherical impactor onto a turf racetrack. The “Hard” rating resulted in higher peak linear accelerations and stiffness, and shorter impact durations than the “Soft” and “Heavy” ratings. Insignificant differences were found among the other GRs, but a strong overall relationship was evident between the “going rating” and the kinematic response. This relationship was used to propose a series of three synthetic foam anvils as turf surrogates in equestrian falls corresponding to ranges of GRs of (i) heavy-soft (H-S), (ii) good-firm (G-F), and (iii) firm-hard (F-H). Laboratory experiments consisted of a helmeted headform being dropped onto natural turf and the turf surrogate anvils using a monorail drop rig. These experiments revealed that the magnitudes and durations of the linear and rotational accelerations for helmeted impacts to turf/turf surrogates were similar to those in concussive sports falls and collisions. Since the compliance of an impacted surface influences the dynamic response of a jockey's head during a fall impact against the ground, it is important that this is considered during both accident reconstructions and helmet certification tests.