synthetic turf sports fields

Synthetic Turf

STMA aims to provide you with unbiased information and research to help you make an informed decision about synthetic turf sports fields.

A Guide to Synthetic and Natural Turfgrass for Sports Fields – Selection, Construction and Maintenance Considerations

SAFE Video - Playing Surface Inspection: Synthetic Turf Fields

Research

Synthetic Turf Research – Penn State University
Evaluation of Playing Surface Characteristics of Various In-filled Systems – Penn State University

Surface Hardness Research

How to Measure and Manage Surface Hardness on Synthetic Turf Athletic Fields – Penn State University
Gmax round-robin testing at Penn State – A comparison of the Clegg Impact Tester, F355, and F1292 devices – Penn State University
Understanding Gmax – Penn State University

Surface Temperature Research

Synthetic Turf Surface Temperature – Penn State University
Surface Temperature of Synthetic Turf – Penn State University
The Effect of Irrigation on Synthetic Turf – Surface Temperature, Soccer Ball Roll, Traction – Progress Report – Penn State University
Synthetic Turf Heat Evaluation – Penn State University
Temperature amelioration of synthetic turf surfaces through irrigation – Penn State University
Synthetic turf temperatures – Penn State University
Understanding how the components of a synthetic turf system contribute to increased surface temperature – Science Direct Journal
Models for predicting surface temperatures on synthetic turf playing surfaces – Science Direct Journal
Modeling the thermal effects of artificial turf on the urban environment – Journal of Applied Meteorology and Climatology
An assessment of chemicals leaching, releases to air, and temperature of crumb rubber infilled synthetic turf fields – NY Department of Environmental Conservation
Synthetic surface heat studies – Brigham Young University

Injury Research

Synthetic Turf Injury Studies – Penn State University
Sports Turf Injury Research – Penn State University
Risk of anterior cruciate ligament injury in athletes on synthetic playing surfaces – American Journal of Sports Medicine
Synthetic playing surfaces and athlete health – Journal of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons
A review of synthetic playing surfaces, the shoe-surface interface, and lower extremity injuries in athletes – The Physician and Sportsmedicine
A review of football injuries on third and fourth generation artificial turfs compared with natural turf – Sports Medicine
The effect of playing surface on injury rate: a review of the current literature – Sports Medicine
Playing field issues in sports medicine – Current Sports Medicine Reports
Football Studies – Compiled by Penn State University
Soccer Studies – Compiled by Penn State University
Rugby Studies – Compiled by Penn State University

Health and Environmental Impact Research

Synthetic Turf Health and Environmental Impacts – Penn State University
Evaluation of the efficacy of Ultraviolet-C light to eliminate Staphylococcus aureus from infilled synthetic turf surfaces – Penn State University
Human health issues on synthetic turf in the USA – Journal of Sports Engineering and Technology
Survival of Staphylococcus aureus on synthetic turf – Penn State University
Synthetic Turf and Staph Infections – Cause for Concern? – Penn State University
A Survey for the Presence of Staphylococcus aureus in the Infill Media of Synthetic Turf – Penn State University
Leaching of DOC, DN, and inorganic constituents from scrap tires – Chemosphere
Environmental and health impacts of artificial turf: a review – Environmental Science & Technology
New approach to the ecotoxicological risk assessment of artificial outdoor sporting grounds – Environmental Pollution
Bioaccessibility and risk exposure to metals and SVOCs in artificial turf field fill materials and fibers – Risk Analysis
Artificial turf football fields: environmental and mutagenicity assessment – Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology
Environmental-sanitary risk analysis procedure applied to artificial turf sports fields – Environmental Science and Pollution Research International
Zinc leaching from tire crumb rubber – Environmental Science & Technology
Health risk assessment of lead ingestion exposure by particle sizes in crumb rubber on artificial turf considering bioavailability – Environmental Health and Toxicology
Additional scientific journal articles – Compiled by Penn State University
CPSC staff analysis and assessment of synthetic turf “grass blades” – U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission
A scoping-level field monitoring study of synthetic turf fields and playgrounds – US EPA
State-by-state and International studies – Compiled by Penn State University

Resources:

Comparison between synthetic turf and natural grass sports fields:

Construction costs
Maintenance costs
Surface temperature
Field hardness

Visit this page for a more detailed comparison.

Comparison between synthetic turf and natural grass sports fields:

Construction costs
Maintenance costs
Resurfacing costs
Field hardness

Visit this page for a more detailed comparison.

STMA Bulletins

Additional Resources

Synthetic Turf: Research Answers to Common Questions – Penn State University
Synthetic Turf: Is adding a synthetic field the answer? – Cornell University
Natural Grass and Artificial Turf: Separating Myths a nd Facts – Turfgrass Resource Center
Synthetic Turf Care on Baseball and Softball Fields – AstroTurf

Websites