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The effect of synthetic grass sports surfaces on the thermal environment: A systematic review1.03 MB
Published (Version of record)CC BY V4.0, Open Access
Published (Version of record)CC BY V4.0, Open
Journal article
The effect of synthetic grass sports surfaces on the thermal environment: A systematic review
International journal of biometeorology, Vol.68(7), pp.1235-1252
01/07/2024
PMID: 38691211
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Abstract
There are concerns regarding high surface temperatures on synthetic grass sports surfaces influencing the surrounding thermal environment, potentially increasing heat stress and impacting athlete safety. As such, studies have investigated changes to the thermal environment surrounding synthetic grass surfaces in comparison to both natural grass, and synthetic surfaces with different features, but this body of research has not been systematically reviewed. Therefore, this systematic review aimed to (i) determine if there are differences in the thermal environment surrounding synthetic grass surfaces compared with natural grass surfaces, and (ii) determine if there are differences in the thermal environment between different types of synthetic grass surfaces. A systematic review adhering to the PRISMA guidelines was performed. The eligibility criteria required investigations to report at least one of the following environmental parameters on or directly above both a synthetic surface and a comparator group of either natural grass or an alternative synthetic grass surface used in sport: Air temperature, mean radiant temperature, humidity, wind velocity, unified heat stress indices (i.e. wet-bulb-globe temperature and heat index) and/or surface temperature. Twenty-three studies were identified. The only parameters that were consistently higher on synthetic grass compared to natural grass were the air temperature (range: 0.5-1.2 °C) and surface temperature (range: 9.4-33.7 °C), while the mean radiant temperature, humidity, wind velocity and wet-bulb-globe temperature remained similar or required more data to determine if any differences exist. Synthetic grass surfaces consisting of styrene butadiene rubber infill or a shock pad had increased surface temperatures, whereas surfaces with thermoplastic elastomer infill, Cool climate turf fibres or HydroChill had lower surface temperatures. This systematic review has demonstrated that air and surface temperatures can be increased on synthetic sports surfaces, compared to natural grass surfaces. However, it is uncertain whether the differences are enough to increase an individual's heat stress risk and cause concern for athlete safety. While modifications to the turf infill or fibres can reduce synthetic surface temperatures, the effect of these features on the thermal environment as a whole is unclear. This review was prospectively registered with the Open Science Framework (Open Science Framework registration https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/BTKGE).
Details
- Title
- The effect of synthetic grass sports surfaces on the thermal environment: A systematic review
- Creators
- Gurpreet Singh - Southern Cross University, Faculty of HealthBenjamin Peterson - Central Queensland UniversityOllie Jay - The University of SydneyChristopher J Stevens - Southern Cross University, Human Sciences
- Publication Details
- International journal of biometeorology, Vol.68(7), pp.1235-1252
- Publisher
- Springer Nature
- Identifiers
- 991013187513302368
- Copyright
- © The Author(s) 2024. This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. Open Access funding enabled and organized by CAUL and its Member Institutions.
- Academic Unit
- Office of the Vice Chancellor; Human Sciences; Southern Cross University; Faculty of Health
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article