Artificial Pitches - Injuries?

This is something I've looked into a bit recently. The talk of infection and the surfaces being a bit hard have made me wonder whether maintenance requirements are being met.

 

I've asked people who work at the council and as far as they are aware there is no disinfectant spray program in place. It is a requirement as far as I know, so hopefully it's not something that they are simply trying to cut costs on.

I haven't been able to find out how often the surfaces get groomed/decompacted but one person I talked to at the council suggested that it probably isn't done frequently enough.

 

I was at the Central League AGM last year and there was a bit of talk about the arties. One of the main questions was whether people thought watering them prior to games would be a good idea and pretty much everyone agreed it would be. I'm not sure if it was followed up on but I wonder if they are still considering it. I'm guessing they only intend to do this for the higher leagues. IMO this would not only reduce the problems with skin abrasion but would also provide a bit more give under foot which should reduce stress/injuries on the joints.  

 

Some maintenance processes here:

http://www.themotzgroup.com/synthetic-turf/smp-synthetic-maintenance-program

http://www.fieldturf.com/media/BAhbBlsHOgZmSSJBMjAxMi8xMS8wNy8xOC8xNS8wMi81MjQvRlRfTWFpbnRlbmFuY2VfR3VpZGVsaW5lc18wNDE1MTAucGRmBjoGRVQ/FT_Maintenance%20Guidelines_041510.pdf

Disinfection:

http://www.edmarchem.com/Websites/edmar/images/pdf/TurfStatPRO-WhyDoINeedtoDisinfectMySyntheticTurf.pdf

http://psfs.us/natural_cleanser_and_disinfectant_for_turf_and_all_sports_surfaces

Personally I've had one small infection from a graze but I don't often slide so it hasn't been a big issue for me. I have trained and played on Wakefield this season and have had sore joints (mainly knees) the day/s after which hasn't been the case after games on the natural fields.

In the case of infections I would encourage your clubs to mention it to CF. Hopefully they get enough feedback to look into it and make sure the parks are being sprayed.

For injuries it's a tough one but I wonder if ACC might have records of turf related injuries and whether or not the introduction of more artificial turfs has had an impact on knee and ankle injuries. They should have a question on their forms asking what surface the injury happened on IMO.

Ive noticed since training on St Pats turf every thursday how much more granule it has than Wakefield, maybe this is whats causing the sore joints? Probably about due for another 'sprinkle'

Different generation turf though isn't it? Better shockpad and all?

Possibly, but i understand the top layer doesnt really change. It would make sense that the granule would reduce over time, enough of it gets weathered away and dragged off the pitch with players. Always emptying my boots. It would add up.

Shout out to the guy at Wakefield tonight who was smoking on the turf. 

Let's hope he gets spoken to and advised not to do it again. The council or capital footy find out and we all lose out.

Tawa to miss out on a turf. Maybe redwood wasn't the best option with the softball diamond, and houses very close. Page 3

http://kapimananews.realviewdigital.com/#folio=68

Sorry guys I'm not entirely sure the best place to post this. But is there any artifical (or even real) pitches in Wellington that have goals (nets preferred) that you can just rock up to and have a kick around without booking?

You could try Memorial Park out in Petone. Goals and nets always up. However there could also potential been games or practices on as well

Cheers Yakcall. Will have a look out cheers :)

Are there any others??

Wakefield is always good to go. As long as no one has it booked it's fair game

Te Whaea too. Although sometimes the rugby posts are up

Most evening bookings are 6-7.30pm and 7.30-9pm IIRC so you may be more likely to sneak on before 6.

Any of the artificials are available for public use on a casual basis, but a booked slot,/official practice takes precedence so not purely as first come first served basis.

I recently had a turf
accident, so it happened due to a number for factors.

At the time I was having Patella
Tendon trouble so I chose to invest in a pair of firm ground Asics (I knew it wouldn’t
be a quick fix, but figured they would help with the wear and tear on the legs)

the boots were sweet on grass and I ended up playing on an artificial service about
2 weeks later.

It was a beautiful day,
steaming hot! I went in for a semi slide tackle/clearing motion and collided with
the striker. My left boot (this is where I’m not sure if the back studs on the
Asics or the fact the turf was dry) got caught in the ground and my knee buckled
inwards, momentum projected my body over the top of the left knee to which a
popping noise occurred and extreme pain…

That was 5 weeks ago,
currently on the mend running again but looking at another 3 weeks. Diagnosed with
a 2-3 MCL strain

Like a said a contributing
number of factors made up this injury in my mind. Maybe Dry turf, maybe incorrect
mouldies and a slight hint of unco-ness haha

but ill defiantly be using the blade Nikes for turf like I have in the past

 

Yeah, the turf (especially older turf) does not have as much give as grass. I strained my knee slightly when, like you, placed to much weight/force on one leg and the studs stick which probably wouldn't have happened on grass - would have just slipped and created a divot. Though you might find less injuries from contact situations on turf; not as easy to slide in, especially when dry.