[Wild Fragaria]

Since almost everyone is talking about soccer (or having soccer fever), this is a soccer related article (my tribute to all fans on HLP)

It's quite funny that people claims the artificial turf reduces serious injuries (didn't even say what kinda serious injuries were they).  I guess we should rename it the soccer magic carpet


Nature News  Published online: 9 June 2006; | doi:10.1038/news060605-15

Artificial grass has long been viewed as a poor substitute for the real thing. But synthetic turf may finally be set to take root in professional soccer, and officials may even consider the possibility of using it for the next World Cup in 2010.

Artificial grass has come a long way since its invention in the 1960s and its debut in professional-level sport at the Astrodome in Houston, Texas, where it was dubbed 'Astroturf'. Now, instead of the woven nylon rugs, artificial grass has taken on the look and feel of real grass. And leading soccer organizations such as the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) and the Union of European Football Association (UEFA) are giving it a second look, after several widely derided attempts to introduce it into the game in the 1980s.

"Artificial turf was once considered glorified carpet laid over concrete," says Michael Meyers, director of the Human Performance Research Laboratory at West Texas A&M University in Canyon. But he claims that the latest generation of artificial turf is "equal to or better than grass".

These synthetic turfs consist of plastic strands that are inserted as tufts into artificial 'soil' made up of sand and rubber pellets. In some versions, the strands are reinforced by plastic coils.

There are so many kinds of artificial turf that Meyers says it's like "trying to compare Ford to Chevy, they're similar but dissimilar".

And with the price of a new pitch coming in at up to US$1 million, the latest imitation grass is not cheap. But its creators say that after a couple of years it pays for itself, as there is little maintenance involved compared with natural grass, which requires a talented groundskeeper.

Artificial grass was first created for use in environments that do not favour natural grass, such as indoor stadiums, or cold or dry regions. But the first generation of artificial turf, trialled by several British football clubs in the 1980s, was not well received by soccer players or fans. The ball's amazingly high bounce was a constant source of frustration for players. Injuries also worsened, and players suffered rug burns and stubbed feet, known as 'turf toe'.

"The key with artificial turf when you match it to soccer is that it's got to fit the way the game is played," argues John Baize, managing director of the artificial-grass company Global Sports Systems, based in Texas. "We designed the system around the sport."

With a lot of biomechanical testing, Baize's and other artificial-turf companies have made the grass taller to allow the ball to roll, and added sand and rubber for better shock absorbency and player manoeuvrability around the field.

Injuries and abrasions have also been reduced by the newer and softer generation of artificial grass. In 2004, Meyers discovered that rates of serious injuries among professional American football players had been reduced since the advent of the new turfs1.

UEFA and FIFA are impressed with the improvements, and the former has already certified some artificial grass strains for use. In 2001, FIFA produced a set of laboratory standards for artificial-grass companies to follow. The agency ruled in 2003 that artificial turf could be used for its matches, and it was played on that same year at the under-17 world championship in Finland's Töölö stadium, and again at the 2005 under-17 championship in Peru.

At the moment, all World Cup games are played on natural grass, and purists couldn't imagine it any other way. But at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, artificial grass may in fact look greener.

[aldo_14]

Hmm.  I still remember Dunfermline Athletics' astroturfy-pitch being banned a year or so back (after 2 years using it on a UEFA trial), due to complaints over injuries on it.

Me, I'm not sure I see the point.  It may be cheaper than 'real' grass, but to me part of the game has and always will be adjusting to different surfaces. 

I was playing on a newly-setup rubber crumb surface this afternoon at 5s, and - although it's a different kind of turf to the likely top level - it is a more painful surface to play on if you're wanting to do Proper Football Stuff like diving (in goals, I hasten to add), sliding in, etc.  I also think, because you can't really wear studs, it's a hell of a lot slippier and you're a lot more likely to overstretch and pull something.

[Colonol Dekker]

Astroturf is terrible,...............
I've never enjoyed, Rugy, or football on it, Just walking on it feels strange to be quite frank.

[Flipside]

Always feel like a Subbuteo player on one if those pitches, keep expecting a huge National Lotterly hand to come up behind me and flick....

[Sandwich]

UEFA and FIFA are impressed with the improvements, and the former has already certified some artificial grass strains for use.

I read that as "...artificial grass stains..."

[Shade]

That would almost rate upthere with the japanese making mens underwear impregnated with the smell of sweat. Supposed to really make the ladies swoon...

[Kosh]

I still remember the burns Astroturf gave me......

[Mars]

That would almost rate upthere with the japanese making mens underwear impregnated with the smell of sweat. Supposed to really make the ladies swoon...

Personally, it happens naturally with me (the first part) the second part has eluded me.

[aldo_14]

That would almost rate upthere with the japanese making mens underwear impregnated with the smell of sweat. Supposed to really make the ladies swoon...

Personally, it happens naturally with me (the first part) the second part has eluded me.

Well, do you wave your sweaty undies at passing women?

[Mars]

Uh.... nnnnooo... never... not me... that was my brother! 

[Colonol Dekker]

  Course it was...........

[Black Wolf]

Astroturf is awesome for hockey, but it does change the flow of the game a lot. I remember whenever we'd come down to Perth for State Champs we'd take on all comers in the early stages (when we were still playing on grass) then get dodgy on the turf because it's so much faster.