Travis L Roberson, Ava Veith, Matthew Tucker, Kieran O'Donnell, Zach Shrift, & David S. McCall
Abstract
The surface dynamics of an athletic field is described as the interaction an athlete and sports ball with the fields current playing surface. Previously researched testing devices are often utilized to disseminate how factors such as turfgrass species, canopy density, and field construction influence the playability of an athletic field. However, the presence of turfgrass diseases that can compromise the quality of a natural grass sports field is often overlooked. The ubiquitous use of hybrid bermudagrass (HBG) sports fields make spring dead spot (SDS)(Ophiosphaerella spp.)), the most devastating disease found on this species of grass, a strong reason a field’s playability could become jeopardized. Our research aimed at evaluating the influence SDS has in terms of the Féderation Internationale de Football Association standards compared to adjacent healthy, HBG areas. Results showed that SDS increased vertical soccer ball rebound by 10 cm compared to healthy HBG. Furthermore, areas with SDS present resulted in a weaker canopy structure in terms of rotational shear strength resistance when simulating the force from an athlete’s cleat changing direction by approximately 2 Nm. Lastly, strong observations (P <0.0001) of lower energy restitution were observed with SDS areas returning less energy to the athlete compared to healthy HBG from our testing methods, suggesting an athlete would become more fatigued the more times they come in contact with these diseased areas.
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