Analysis of New Materials and Artificial Turf Products: Influence and Impact on Athlete Performance and Perception

Summary

This request pertains to a series of related projects on a common theme. Specifically, this set of projects aims to analyze the impact of new alternatives in materials and structures of artificial turf on athlete performance and perception, within the context of the elimination of microplastics as per Commission Regulation (EU) 2023/2055 of September 25, 2023. Third-generation sports artificial turf is notable for including performance infill (granules) that provide the necessary functionality and safety for sports practice. The vast majority of fields worldwide use materials that do not comply with the new European regulation, which has granted an eight-year moratorium. Therefore, there is little time to find new alternatives. The challenge lies not only in developing new structural solutions but also in understanding their impact on athletes. This issue is of high severity, as these sports facilities are the largest in terms of space and host the highest number of Physical Activity and Sports practitioners in Europe (mainly Football, Rugby, Hockey, and Padel).

For this reason, over the past year, the IGOID Group has requested various projects to cover all the necessary phases and nuances to address this issue.

The activities included in these projects are divided into two phases:

Phase 1: Evaluation of Sports Surfaces in the Laboratory (durability and surface-player and surface-ball interaction). Tests will be conducted on artificial turf samples constructed with SBR rubber (the main material to be replaced under the EU regulation), natural-origin infills, polymeric infills larger than 5 mm, and other infills. Initially, a market analysis and classification will be carried out, followed by laboratory tests. Across all projects, a minimum of 30 alternatives are expected to be analyzed.

Phase 2: Field Study. Tests will be conducted on a sample of athletes on constructed surfaces representing the different alternatives evaluated in Phase 1. Performance tests and a battery of assessments will be carried out to understand athlete perception. A sample of 30 athletes will be randomly divided into groups to perform different repetitions of the test batteries, covering a minimum of six different sports facilities.

Conditions

• Artificial Turf
• Athletic Performance and Injury Risk
• Physical Fitness
• Sports Equipment
• Microplastics
• Healthy

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Countermovement Jump (CMJ)

Participants perform a vertical jump starting from a standing position, bending their knees to 90 degrees, and then jumping as high as possible. The height of the jump is measured using a laser measurement tool (OptoJump-Microgate, Optojump, Bolzano, Italy).

BEHAVIORAL

Repeated Jump Test

Participants perform repeated vertical jumps for 20 seconds, with the height of each jump measured using a laser measurement tool (OptoJump-Microgate, Optojump, Bolzano, Italy).

BEHAVIORAL

Repeated Sprint Ability (RSA) Test

articipants perform six 30-meter sprints with 20 seconds of rest between each sprint. Sprint times are measured using photocell timing gates (RaceTime, Microgate, Bolzano, Italy).

BEHAVIORAL

Maximum Sprint Test

Participants perform three maximum effort sprints over 40 meters. Sprint times and speeds are measured using 1080 motion analysis

BEHAVIORAL

Change of Direction (COD) Test

Participants perform a sprint with a change of direction, running 5 meters in one direction and then 5 meters at a 90-degree angle. The time to complete the test is measured.

BEHAVIORAL

Shooting Test

Participants perform a shooting test, aiming to hit a target with maximum speed. The speed of the shot is measured using radar.

BEHAVIORAL

Small side game test

Participants engage in a 5v5 small-sided game on a 600 m² field to simulate match conditions and assess performance in a game-like scenario.

BEHAVIORAL

Performance and Comfort Perception Questionnaire

Participants complete a questionnaire to assess their perception of performance and comfort on the surface, using a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS).

BEHAVIORAL

Perceived Exertion Questionnaire

Participants complete a questionnaire to assess their perceived exertion during the tests, using the Borg scale

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Castilla-La Mancha

  lead OTHER

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

BASIC_SCIENCE

Masking

SINGLE

Model

CROSSOVER

Eligibility

Min Age

20 Years

Max Age

30 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2025-09-01

Primary Completion

2025-12-30

Completion

2026-06-30