COMPARISON OF SHOCK ABSORBENCY ON ARTIFICIAL AND NATURAL SOCCER PLAYING SURFACES USING TWO IMPACT TEST ANALYSIS APPROACHES

This study aimed to examine the shock absorbency properties of two different soccer playing surfaces, namely the artificial turf (AT) and natural turf (NT), using a bespoke impact test aligned with the FIFA Advanced Artificial Athlete (AAA) testing standard. Measurements were collected using an accelerometer sensor to quantify peak impact force to calculate the shock absorbency property across five field locations, with each location consists of four trials of impact test at the same spot (T1 – T4). Two data analysis methods were compared: (1) using only the first trial (T1) and (2) averaging four consecutive trials (AVG) in determining the impact properties of the two surfaces. Results showed significant differences in shock absorbency on the NT surface between T1 and AVG (p < 0.05), while no significant difference was found on AT (p > 0.05). This suggests that NT surfaces exhibit greater variability due to environmental and structural inconsistencies, whereas AT surfaces offer more uniform mechanical properties of multiple impact tests. The rubber infill in AT likely contributed to its reduced compressibility and consistent shock response. These findings highlight the importance of considering surface type and test methodology when evaluating playing surface performance. In conclusion, the study emphasizes that analysis methods and surface characteristics substantially influence shock absorbency measurements. A standardized and surface-specific approach is essential for accurate assessment.