SYNTHETIC TURF INJURIES:

HEAR FROM THE ATHLETES THEMSELVES

VIDEO: WHAT DO ATHLETES SAY ABOUT SYNTURF?

 

SoccerGrlProbs: The Fight For Equal Grounds Part II

 

Child burned on DC playground highlights turf, rubber surface concerns (WUSA TV9)

#turfburn

See Athletes' Descriptions of their Injuries

 
 

TURF BURN INCREASES RISK OF MRSA

Featured
"EPA & CDC - COLLECTIONS RELATED TO SYNTHETIC TURF FIELDS WITH CRUMB RUBBER INFILL"
"EPA & CDC - COLLECTIONS RELATED TO SYNTHETIC TURF FIELDS WITH CRUMB RUBBER INFILL"

EPA & CDC, August 5, 2016

"Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) has caused outbreaks among athletic teams and artificial turf has been implicated as a fomite in transmission of MRSA among college athletes."

KENTUCKY HIGH SCHOOLER SUES SCHOOL OVER STAPH INFECTION ON ARTIFICIAL TURF
KENTUCKY HIGH SCHOOLER SUES SCHOOL OVER STAPH INFECTION ON ARTIFICIAL TURF

Cincinnati Enquirer, May 20, 2015

The lawsuit filed in Campbell County Circuit Court claims the cut Brycen McWilliams sustained became infected with a virulent strain of the staph bacteria from the artificial turf on the field. McWilliams, a junior running back from Somerset High School in south central Kentucky, spent weeks in the hospital and missed part of the spring semester as the infection festered, his attorney Tad Thomas said. The infection was Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), which doesn't respond to antibiotics.

"A HIGH MORBIDITY OUTBREAK OF MRSA AMONG PLAYERS ON A COLLEGE FOOTBALL TEAM, FACILITATED BY COSMETIC BODY SHAVING AND TURF BURNS" (1/2)
"A HIGH MORBIDITY OUTBREAK OF MRSA AMONG PLAYERS ON A COLLEGE FOOTBALL TEAM, FACILITATED BY COSMETIC BODY SHAVING AND TURF BURNS" (1/2)

Clinical Infectious Diseases, Oxford University Press, November 15, 2004

"MRSA was likely spread predominantly during practice play, with skin breaks facilitating infection. Measures to minimize skin breaks among athletes should be considered, including prevention of turf burns and education regarding the risks of cosmetic body shaving."

"BODY SHAVING AND TURF BURNS SPREAD INFECTION" (2/2)
"BODY SHAVING AND TURF BURNS SPREAD INFECTION" (2/2)

Science Daily, November 9, 2004

"Researchers found that 10 percent of players on a Connecticut college football team had MRSA skin infections, for which two were hospitalized.

Those who sustained turf burns during play were seven times more likely than their teammates to contract MRSA."

ARTICLES: INJURY & PLAYER PREFERENCE

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US MEN’S NATIONAL TEAM PLAYING FIRST HOME MATCH ON ARTIFICIAL TURF SINCE 1994
US MEN’S NATIONAL TEAM PLAYING FIRST HOME MATCH ON ARTIFICIAL TURF SINCE 1994

Fox Sports, February 2, 2017

“U.S. players have been pretty clear on their preference to play on grass. While not all hate playing on artificial surfaces, they’ve made it clear that they prefer natural surfaces.”

“Former U.S. manager Jurgen Klinsmann especially hated [synthetic] turf and did most everything in his power to keep his team from playing on it. Even new U.S. boss Bruce Arena has been critical of the surfaces before.”

"TOM BRADY WOULD LIKE TO SEE PATRIOTS DITCH TURF, SWITCH BACK TO NATURAL GRASS"
"TOM BRADY WOULD LIKE TO SEE PATRIOTS DITCH TURF, SWITCH BACK TO NATURAL GRASS"

New England Sports Network, November 25, 2016

"While Patriots quarterback Tom Brady has enjoyed great success on his home field since the change, he said Friday he’d be in favor of ditching the fake stuff and switching back to grass. 

'I think most players prefer grass,' Brady said."

"GUEST POST: WHAT A CONCUSSION LOOKS LIKE ON ARTIFICIAL TURF"
"GUEST POST: WHAT A CONCUSSION LOOKS LIKE ON ARTIFICIAL TURF"

Parents' Coalition of Montgomery County, Maryland, November 6, 2016

"ELITE PLAYERS' PERCEPTION OF FOOTBALL PLAYING SURFACES"
"ELITE PLAYERS' PERCEPTION OF FOOTBALL PLAYING SURFACES"

FIFA Report, 2014

"Players perceive the injury risk to be higher on football turf pitches than on natural grass, although the reported injuries are associated to soreness and fatigue, rather than muscular tears or fractures."

"Connecticut High School Football Players' Hands Burned by Hot Turf During Coach's Punishment Drill"
"Connecticut High School Football Players' Hands Burned by Hot Turf During Coach's Punishment Drill"

NBC Connecticut, September 10, 2015

A high school football coach in Connecticut is apologizing after an on-field punishment that left some of his players with blisters and burns earlier this week. Parents cried foul after Stratford High School coach T.J. Cavaliere told his team to crawl on the artificial turf with their bear hands at the school's football field Monday. The drill, on a day where temperatures raced past the 90 degrees amid baking sun, caused some of the players to burn their hands on the heated turf.

"PLAYERS CITE BLISTERS, TURF BURNS AS ARTIFICIAL SURFACE REMAINS WWC ISSUE"
"PLAYERS CITE BLISTERS, TURF BURNS AS ARTIFICIAL SURFACE REMAINS WWC ISSUE"

ESPN, June 26, 2015

"Australian forward Michelle Heyman told reporters that when the temperature rises, the fields are like walking on 'hot coals.' "

"THE ARTIFICIAL TURF AT THE WOMEN'S WORLD CUP WAS REPORTEDLY 120 DEGREES AT KICK OFF"
"THE ARTIFICIAL TURF AT THE WOMEN'S WORLD CUP WAS REPORTEDLY 120 DEGREES AT KICK OFF"

The Washington Post, June 6, 2015

“For us to be playing the biggest tournament for women’s soccer on artificial grass is unacceptable. The game is completely different. It’s fake. So you don’t know how it’s gonna bounce. You don’t know how the ball is gonna run. It’s terrible for your body."

ARTIFICIAL TURF CHANGES THE WAY ATHLETES PLAY AND ADDS TIME TO RECOVERY
ARTIFICIAL TURF CHANGES THE WAY ATHLETES PLAY AND ADDS TIME TO RECOVERY

The Washington Post, June 5, 2015

“Numerous studies have explored the impact of artificial turf on the game and the body. The conclusion: In fear of injury, players are less likely to use slide tackles; the stress on joints increases; skin abrasions are more pronounced; additional recovery time is needed between matches; and with the ball moving quicker, a pinball effect threatens to destroy the rhythm of the game.”

INJURIES: NATURAL TURF VS. ARTIFICIAL TURF
INJURIES: NATURAL TURF VS. ARTIFICIAL TURF

Duke University Soccer Politics Blog, 2015

"Not only are players concerned about major ligament tears and concussions, but they also speak to the increased stress on the body. Morgan feels that recovery time is an issue as well: 'The achiness, taking longer to recover than on natural grass, the tendons and ligaments are, for me at least, I feel more sore after turf.' "

LA GALAXY FORWARD ROBBIE KEANE SAYS "TURF HAS TO GO"
LA GALAXY FORWARD ROBBIE KEANE SAYS "TURF HAS TO GO"

ESPN, November 27, 2014

"I've said it before and said it so many times. If this league wants to progress -- or any league in the world -- turf has to go. It's very simple. Very, very simple. It's not good enough."

Athletes:

Have more to add? What issues are you having with synthetic turf on your playing field? We want to hear from you!

Friends don't let friends play on toxic turf!