Test Devices for the Evaluation of Synthetic Turf Pitches for Field Hockey

Abstract

Many existing tests for field hockey can be categorized into; how the ball, and how a person interacts with the surface. Interactions during sporting activities can significantly influence how a game is played from both a technical and tactical perspective. Understanding interactions of this nature and identifying factors that can influence and control their performance is essential to comprehend the mechanical behavior of a sports surface. However, synthetic turf pitches are complex structures, comprising several layers, all of which contribute to their composite behavior. Therefore, the mechanical response of the surface to interactions is difficult to measure. It has been argued by many researchers that mechanical tests are inappropriate to simulate in-game conditions and their suitability has been brought into question. Furthermore, there is a lack of good quality peer reviewed data on the mechanical behavior of synthetic turf pitches. Test data are collected by accredited laboratories for the relevant sports governing body, with the data remaining unpublished, thus there is no way to validate or recommend improvements to these standards. Consequently, this paper presents results from a comprehensive program of testing on six world class synthetic turf pitches used for field hockey. Current test equipment and methods employed by the governing body for field hockey (FIH) were validated and recommendations were formulated for their suitability. It was found that impact tests, including the Berlin Artificial Athlete, provided a simple means to classify one pitch against another and gave a significant difference between the six pitches. A review of ball interaction tests, including vertical ball rebound, and ball roll were found to be significantly influenced by environmental factors such as moisture and wind, which highlighted the importance of careful monitoring during testing to ensure pitches were evaluated in approved conditions. In conclusion, current mechanical tests provide a simple and effective way toclassify one pitch directly against another. However, their use for determining how the surface behaves in a ‘real’ game situation and the mechanical information obtained is considered limited