Test Devices
Only turf that is infilled and paired with a high-quality shock pad can achieve the player safety ranges found in natural grass.
Different parts of the body generate varying levels of impact upon contact with the surface, necessitating the use of two specialized testing devices, each tailored to measure a specific type of impact quality.
We test because safety matters
Safety levels comparable to natural grass for athletes are only attainable with the use of high-quality shock pads under infilled turf.
Our understanding is grounded in comprehensive data from the HIC test and the AAA foot impact test, applied across a variety of field types. This approach gives us a detailed overview of the field’s performance in terms of impact safety, from the moment of installation through the entirety of its lifecycle.
Head Impact Test
Head Injury Criterion (HIC)
HIC testing is performed to assess the likelihood and severity of head injuries due to impact. HIC has been used for decades in the auto industry and for playground surfaces, and HIC testing of sports surfaces has been adopted by various sports governing bodies, including FIFA and World Rugby. EN 17435 is one HIC test procedure used on sports surfaces to measure HIC and determine a surface’s Critical Fall Height. In the test, a 4.6 kg hemispherical projectile (similar in weight and shape to a human head) is dropped onto a surface multiple times from increasing heights. The HIC values at these different drop heights are used determine the surface’s Critical Fall Height. The higher the Critical Fall Height, the safer the surface. A good natural grass field will produce a minimum critical fall height of about 1.8 meters or higher.
Foot Firmness Impact Test
Advanced Artificial Athlete Tester (AAA)
This test simulates the heel strike of an adult running athlete in stride. In other words, it measures the softness or hardness underfoot during play on a field. A great natural grass field hits the “sweet spot” of being firm underfoot while producing very low Gmax and high Critical Fall Height. This is why quality natural turf is the benchmark for quality artificial turf.
The Surface for Athletes
Achieving the proper performance levels for Impacts, Heat and Traction in a quality artificial turf defines modern sports surface design.
Through the application of multiple standardized tests, we’re now capable of creating an artificial surface that closely mirrors natural turf like never before. The areas highlighted in green represent the performance parameters of premium natural turf. The radiating lines illustrate the performance outcomes of the artificial turf field systems outlined at the center. Remember, the height of the turf pile varied between 38mm to 51mm and comprised products from each turf brand, yet all systems produced optimal performance.
We measure 45 locations on the pitch using the One Turf Concept method. This provides a more complete picture of infill depths, pitch safety and performance, and consistency. Plus it illuminates areas of higher wear and provides a guide for maintenance on the pitch.
Watch Now
You want your field to have the highest critical fall height possible. This video shows the test results for an artificial turf e-layer, an artificial turf system with Brock ShockPad/19, and lastly, a system with Brock PowerBase/YSR.
