A novel methodology for simulating skin injury risk on synthetic playing surfaces

MacFarlane, Maxwell, O'Donnell, Eric, Harrison, Eric, Douglas, Marc, Lees, Neale and Theobald, Peter ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3227-7130 2024. A novel methodology for simulating skin injury risk on synthetic playing surfaces. Lubricants 12 (6) , 207. 10.3390/lubricants12060207

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Abstract

Artificial turf provides a consistent and durable surface; however, it has historically been associated with a high skin injury risk, or a ‘friction burn’, when a player falls or slides. Second-generation surfaces feature a short carpet pile, whilst third generation (3G) carpet piles are longer, enabling the integration of a performance infill. 3G surfaces provide sufficient energy absorption characteristics to be approved as Rugby Turf; however, such pitches can still cause skin injuries, despite being assessed using a friction-based test. Reducing skin injury risk motivates this study to develop a more sensitive testing methodology. A new test apparatus and impactor are proposed, achieving kinematics representative of an elite male rugby tackle. A commercially available skin simulant is employed to ensure the collection of repeatable and valid data. Photography and thresholding were used to assess surface abrasion and material transfer, whilst a thermal camera captured surface temperature change. Accelerometers quantified the surface resistance during the impact and sliding phases. These metrics were compiled into the Maxwell Tribo Index (MTI), providing a single measure of skin injury risk. The results demonstrated good repeatability and validity when four teams tested four different 3G surfaces. These results compared favourably to an expert panel’s ranked order.

Item Type:	Article
Date Type:	Publication
Status:	Published
Schools:	Engineering
Publisher:	MDPI
ISSN:	2075-4442
Date of First Compliant Deposit:	7 June 2024
Date of Acceptance:	1 June 2024
Last Modified:	02 Jul 2024 11:30
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/169603

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