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. 2021 Apr 21;11(1):8625.
doi: 10.1038/s41598-021-88192-w.

Influence of the artificial turf certification on physical performance and muscle damage in football players (QUALTURF PROJECT)

Javier Sanchez-Sanchez  1 , Jose Luis Felipe  2 , Antonio Hernandez-Martin  3 , David Viejo-Romero  1 , Vicente Javier Clemente-Suarez  1 , Leonor Gallardo  3 , Jorge Garcia-Unanue  3
Affiliations

Influence of the artificial turf certification on physical performance and muscle damage in football players (QUALTURF PROJECT)

Javier Sanchez-Sanchez et al. Sci Rep. .

Abstract

This study aimed to analyse the influence of the FIFA Quality PRO certification of artificial turf pitches on the physical, physiological performance and muscle damage in soccer players. Fifteen healthy male players (21.2 ± 1.4 years; 178.2 ± 4.3 cm; 79.1 ± 8.3 kg) from a university football team were selected to participate in the research. Mechanical properties related to surface-player interaction were assessed on the two surfaces selected for this study. A randomized design was used and the players performed the Ball-sport Endurance and Sprint Test (BEAST90) on the different artificial turf fields. Average time of the 20 m sprints was longer on the FIFA Quality Pro surface than on the non-certified pitch (+ 0.13 s; p < 0.05; CI 95% - 0.01 to 0.27; ES: 0.305). The players' perceived effort was higher in the first (+ 2.64; p < 0.05; CI 95% 0.92 to 4.35; ES: 1.421) and the second half (+ 1.35; p < 0.05; CI 95% - 0.02 to 2.72; ES: 0.637) of the test on the FIFA Quality Pro field. Comparative analysis between surfaces showed no significant differences in the time spent in each of the heart rate zones and higher concentrations of CK (+ 196.58; p > 0.05; CI 95% 66.54 to 326.61; ES: 1.645) were evidenced in the non-certified pitch surface. In response to a simulated match protocol, markers of post-exercise muscle damage may be reduced on accredited artificial turf fields. These insights can provide the opportunity to maximize the efficiency of training sessions and reduce the risk of injury during the season.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no competing interests.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Activity profile during the BEAST90 in a FIFA Quality Pro and a non-certified artificial turf football field expressed as the total distance covered in different locomotor categories: Zone 1 (0–2 km h−1); Zone 2 (2–7 km h−1); Zone 3 (7–13 km h−1); Zone 4 (13–18 km h−1); Zone 5 (18–21 km h−1); and Zone 6 (> 21 km h−1). *Significant differences between FIFA Quality Pro and non-certified fields (p < 0.05).
Figure 2
Figure 2
Distribution of heart rate expressed as the percentage of game time taken in the different ranges of HRMAX during a simulated game test (BEAST90) in a FIFA Quality Pro (Black) and a non-certified (White) artificial turf football field.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Test zones according to regulation FIFA Test Methods 2015 (FIFA, 2015).
Figure 4
Figure 4
Schematic BEAST90 Protocol.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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