Are high school athletes at risk from artificial turf?

Lower levels of fake soil in artificial turf -- a cost-saving move -- may be linked to sharply higher numbers of injuries among high school football players, new research suggests.
The findings of the industry-funded research suggest a connection but don't definitively prove that less fake soil causes more injuries.
Still, "we're seeing a phenomenal effect. You're exchanging low cost for higher injuries," said study author Michael Meyers, an associate professor with the department of sport science and physical activity at Idaho State University. "It's an eye opener, definitely a game changer."
Meyers recommends that schools move to prevent injuries by installing artificial turf with more fake soil, known as "infill."
According to Meyers, modern school fields often feature artificial turf instead of grass for several reasons. For one, artificial turf doesn't require the same level of maintenance and watering as grass. And as schools use their fields for purposes beyond athletics, artificial turf can tolerate the wear and tear better than grass, he said.
Artificial turf can be expensive, potentially costing $1 million for a field, Meyers said, but its durability can make it cost-effective.
The question: Does the thickness of the turf's infill affect injuries? Meyers decided to explore the issue and sought funding assistance from turf makers. Only one company, FieldTurf, agreed to help support his research, he said.
Meyers focused on a measurement of infill, a combination of rubber and sand that underlies artificial turf. Infill is measured by the number of pounds of infill per square foot; more infill translates to more pounds per square foot -- and a higher cost.
For the study, Meyers analyzed injuries at 52 high schools in four states over five football seasons. All the high schools had artificial turf.
      HealthDay

Are high school athletes at risk from artificial turf?

Lower levels of fake soil in artificial turf -- a cost-saving move -- may be linked to sharply higher numbers of injuries among high school football players, new research suggests. The findings of the industry-funded research suggest a connection but dont definitively prove that less fake soil causes more injuries. Still, were seeing a phenomenal effect. Youre exchanging low cost for higher injuries, said study author Michael Meyers, an associate professor with the department of sport science and physical activity at Idaho State University. Its an eye opener, definitely a game changer. Meyers recommends that schools move to prevent injuries by installing artificial turf with more fake soil, known as infill. According to Meyers, modern school fields often feature artificial turf instead of grass for several reasons. For one, artificial turf doesnt require the same level of maintenance and watering as grass. And as schools use their fields for purposes beyond athletics, artificial turf can tolerate the wear and tear better than grass, he said. Artificial turf can be expensive, potentially costing $1 million for a field, Meyers said, but its durability can make it cost-effective. The question: Does the thickness of the turfs infill affect injuries? Meyers decided to explore the issue and sought funding assistance from turf makers. Only one company, FieldTurf, agreed to help support his research, he said. Meyers focused on a measurement of infill, a combination of rubber and sand that underlies artificial turf. Infill is measured by the number of pounds of infill per square foot; more infill translates to more pounds per square foot -- and a higher cost. For the study, Meyers analyzed injuries at 52 high schools in four states over five football seasons. All the high schools had artificial turf. HealthDay