Artificial Playing Surfaces Research: A Review of Medical, Engineering and Biomechanical Aspects

In this paper, current knowledge of artificial playing surfaces is reviewed. Research status in the fields of sports rmedicine, engineering and biomechanics is described. A multidisciplinary approach to the study of artificial sports surface properties is recommended. The development of modelling techmiques to characterise fundamental material properties is described as the most appropriate method for the unique specification of material properties such as stiffness and damping characteristics. It is suggested that the systematic manipulation of fundamental surface material properties in biomechanics research will allow the identification of subject responses to cllearly defined surface variation. It is suggested that subjects should be grouped according to characteristic behaviour on specific sports surfaces. It is speculated that future biomechianics research will identify subject criterion related to differimg group responses. The literature evidence of interactions between sports shoes and sports surfaces leads to the suggestion that sports shoe and sports surface companies should worlk together in the development of ideal shoe - surface combinations for particular groups of subjects.

Key words

Sports injury - multidisciplinary - cushioning - friction - energy - sport shoes