ALABAMA AND MICHIGAN STATE SET TO SQUARE OFF ON ASTROTURF AT THE CAPITAL ONE BOWL

(ORLANDO, Fl) – During last year’s Capital One Bowl between Penn State and LSU, a field that is utilized to full capacity showed the effects of both wear and weather by virtually disintegrating on national television and turned into a mud pit. Florida Citrus Bowl Stadium has since undergone significant renovations, including the addition of a new AstroTurf® field.

Below are facts about the new surface that Alabama and Michigan State will play on at this year’s Capital One Bowl.

Following are some facts and figures about AstroTurf® and the GameDay Grass™ surface they will be playing on.

Facts About AstroTurf®

• Astroturf® originated synthetic turf in 1965.

• AstroTurf® is the first vertically integrated turf company, supervising the product from raw material selection through installation.

• The rubber infill system uses recycled tires, keeping about 20,000 tires per field from being placed in landfills.

• TurfAide™ is a factory-applied microbial protection for AstroTurf® systems, protecting against MRSA and other bacteria.

• AstroFlect™ reduces surface temperatures of AstroTurf® fields by as much as 20% compared to other synthetic fields.

• AstroTurf® fields save between 500,000 – 1,000,000 gallons of water usage per year.

• AstroTurf® fields can accommodate 3-4 times the amount of play of natural grass fields, with little or no downtime for maintenance.

• AstroTurf® fields reduce maintenance costs, man-hours, and use of fertilizers, pesticides, and other chemicals.

• AstroTurf® provides 60 lb. pile-weight fields, the heaviest in the industry.

• An independent study at Michigan State University, funded by NFL charities, determined AstroTurf® GameDay Grass™ performs most like natural grass.

• AstroTurf® fields are safe. An NCAA study found injury rates of 4.4% on natural grass and 3.5% on synthetic turf during practice. Rates for games were 11.5% and 11.4%, respectively.

• In 2010, BASF, the world’s largest chemical company, completed an eco-efficiency analysis which compared AstroTurf® and natural grass over 20 years in terms of 11 environmental impact categories and life cycle costs. The study found that AstroTurf® has less of an environmental impact than any natural grass fields. The only natural grass fields which tested better were those that could host over 140 events per year, a virtually unheard of number. Also, costs over 20 years, even factoring in turf replacement, were 15% less with AstroTurf® fields.

• AstroTurf® took a major step for the industry in 2010 by formally partnering with the University of Tennessee to open the $1.5 million dollar Center for Safer Athletic Fields, a research and testing facility.

AstroTurf® GameDay Grass™ 3D60X Features:

• The Game Day Grass™ 3D “Extreme” surface is a combination of three styles of fiber; two polyethylene fibers for superior aesthetics and play and a nylon RootZone®.

• The system includes parallel-fibrillated slit-film polyethylene fiber technology, the toughest in the industry, and:

• Horseshoe fiber for grass-like looks and playability. The Horseshoe fiber design, introduced in 2010, is a dual-post, thick monofilament fiber, which is very resilient. The Horseshoe design improves fiber memory and allows for a higher tuft bind, resulting in less fiber slippage. The fibers also absorb less heat from sunlight, lowering surface temperatures.

• Patented nylon RootZone®, providing better shock absorbency while minimizing infill migration. RootZone® is a dense fiber sub-layer that traps the rubber infill granules. This minimizes rubber ‘splash’, providing a more uniform, predictable and safer field of play.

• Coated with an industry-best polyurethane secondary backing system, featuring BioCel™ technology, for superior tuft lock and dimensional strength. BioCel™ utilizes soybean-based polyols, reducing dependence on foreign oils.

Fox Sports reports on Michigan State Study

Rick Horrow, The Sports Professor, discusses Brett Favre to the Jets and the effects of the Michigan State University study on synthetic turf surfaces on the NFL in his latest Sports Business Minute on FoxSports.com.



Pro Football Business Minute

GSV's Response to a FieldTurf Statement attempting to discredit a Michigan State University Study

Despite not having read the scientific study produced by Michigan State University’s Orthopaedic Biomechanics Laboratory, under the direction of Dr. Roger Haut and Dr. John Powell, which was recently presented at the North American Conference on Bio Mechanics, FieldTurf attempted to discredit the work. It is worth noting that this research was not only overseen by some of sports medicine’s most experienced and respected academicians, it was also funded by the NFL Charities Foundation…not by GSV or AstroTurf.

FieldTurf claims that this study is "junk science". An opinion that they are certainly free to express, but that is absurdly wrong and wholly disrespectful to both the highly accredited research team and the NFL itself.

While the research was narrowly focused and did not attempt to answer broad questions, it certainly adds to the body of knowledge in the continuing pursuit for more understanding of the interface between athletes, shoes and synthetic turf. The study conducted by Michigan State University was under the watchful eye of Dr. John Powell, who has been a leading researcher and medical advisor for the National Football League, working with the league in the study of injury rates since 1980.

Dr. Powell is an Associate Professor in the Department of Kinesiology and Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation and directs the graduate athletic training educational and research program. Dr. Powell was instrumental in researching and guiding the preparatory phase of the undergraduate educational athletic training program development at Michigan State University. Dr. Powell is currently involved in extensive research in the area of injury prevention, sports injury epidemiology and the biomechanics of lower extremity injuries.

Dr. Powell is a consistent professional reviewer for the Journal of Athletic Training, American Journal of Sports Medicine and Medicine and Science in Sport. He was named the 2000 recipient of the William G. Clancy Jr. M.D. Medal for Distinguished Athletic Training Research by the NATA Research and Education Foundation. Dr. Powell was named a 2005 recipient of the National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA) Most Distinguished Athletic Trainer Award. In 2006, he was inducted as a Fellow in the American Academy of Kinesiology and Physical Education. Dr. Powell earned his Bachelors of Science Degree from Michigan State University, his Masters of Science degree from Indiana University, and his Doctor of Philosophy from Penn State University.

FieldTurf also claims that the independent third party study was funded by GSV. While a clever attempt to deflect attention from the results of the study, the claim is completely false. In fact, this study was funded by the NFL Charities Foundation.

Each year, the NFL Charities Foundation awards $1.5 million in sports-related medical research grants that target sports injury prevention, injury treatment, and other related research that affects the health and performance of athletes. GSV and AstroTurf did not fund the research nor were they allowed to have any input into the criteria, methodology, assumptions or conclusions. We did contribute materials and installation of some of the turf systems that were analyzed in order to learn more about how our newer products are performing in this important area. This contribution did not affect or impact any opinions reflected in the MSU study.

The National Football League is committed to supporting research and enhancing the body of scientific knowledge that will benefit all those involved in competitive sports and recreational athletic activities. Funding is available for non-profit educational and research institutions only. For-profit enterprises are not eligible to apply in this grant category. Over the past four years, the NFL Charities Foundation has awarded grants for 60 different scientific studies and research opportunities. To learn more, visit the NFL Charities Foundation website

Despite claims by FieldTurf, the Michigan State University abstract was peer reviewed and the formal study is currently under peer review for publication in the Journal of Sports Engineering and Technology, which aims to become the publication of choice for authors to disseminate, original research findings related to the development or application of technology in sports.

Finally, FieldTurf claims that the surfaces tested were "newly installed sections of turf". The FieldTurf system tested was a 5–year-old game field. The AstroPlay field tested was a 6-year-old practice field. The GameDay Grass XPe and 3D systems tested were a year-old and serve as a practice field for the football team. The natural grass system tested was the Spartan Stadium field at MSU, which was named the Stadium Field of-the-Year by the STMA in 2006.

In conclusion, the opinions set forth in the Michigan State University study are a culmination of extensive, scientific-based research conducted by highly credentialed academicians who were not influenced by others. Michigan State University and the NFL have done many such research projects in the past that contribute to the body of knowledge in the specific area of orthopedic biomechanics. GSV and AstroTurf will continue to pursue answers and questions in a quest for improving performance and safety of synthetic turf systems. Whether that research is through third parties, the academic community, strategic allies, supply chain partners or self-performed, we are in pursuit of the data and information that leads to improving products for our customers. That pursuit does not stop with biomechanics. We will also continue our pursuit of improvements in integrated manufacturing, fabrication, installation, financing, environmental stewardship and customer service. We reject the idea that only one large company has the answers to these and many questions that need to be answered. We also reject the supposition that such company’s product is the best simply because they say it is or because it was the best alternative ten years ago.

Turf Installation Nearing Final Stages As Monarchs Prepare For Practice

Aug. 12, 2008

Norfolk, Va. – With two days remaining before the Old Dominion University football team hits the field for its first practice, workers are nearing completion on the two new AstroTurf GameDay Grass 3D fields that the Monarchs will use for practice. One field will be a regulation size 100 yards and the other will be a shortened 60-yard field.

The GameDay Grass 3D fields were supplied by GeneralSports Venue (GSV), a certified minority business enterprise and the exclusive U.S. marketer of AstroTurf-branded products. GameDay Grass 3D is one of the most advanced synthetic turf products, featuring best-in-class performance and safety benefits, and characteristics that closely mimic the look and feel of natural grass.

A recent study released by Michigan State University and funded by the NFL Charities Foundation revealed that GameDay Grass 3D most closely replicated natural grass in a comparison of 16 types of synthetic and natural sports turf, based on the torque, force and friction generated by cleated athletic shoes. The study evaluated the potential impact of football playing surfaces on lower extremity injuries caused by excessive torque, or the rotational friction produced when cleated shoes dig into the field. The GameDay Grass 3D system with all-rubber infill had the lowest average torque of all synthetic turf systems tested, second only to natural grass.

To assist in preventing injury, GameDay Grass 3D utilizes a proprietary technology called RootZone, a nylon thatch layer at the base coupled with a monofilament polyethylene long fiber, that replicates natural grass. The density of the RootZone, providing stability, cushion and consistent performance, means that less granulated infill is required, reducing the problems related to infill migration and “fly-out”. The nylon-polyethylene hybrid construction also serves to increases durability and overall system performance.

The installed base for GSV is now well over 150 fields including projects for the likes of Florida State, the University of Texas, the Washington Redskins and the Buffalo Bills.

ODU Football on the web

Michigan State University study ranks GameDay Grass 3D closest to natural grass

AstroTurf’s GameDay Grass and Field Turf at Opposite Ends of Findings Presented at the North American Congress on Biomechanics


According to the results of a year-long Michigan State University study, which was selected for presentation today at the North American Congress on Biomechanics Conference in Ann Arbor, Michigan, Astroturf’s GameDay Grass 3D most closely replicated natural grass in a comparison of 16 types of synthetic and natural sports turf, based on the torque, force and friction generated by cleated athletic shoes.

The study, funded by the NFL Charities Foundation, evaluated the potential impact of football playing surfaces on lower extremity injuries caused by excessive torque, or the rotational friction produced when cleated shoes dig into the field.

“This highly anticipated study validates the introduction of new technologies by AstroTurf, such as GameDay Grass 3D with Root Zone®, to enhance player performance and safety,” said Jon Pritchett, CEO of GeneralSports Venue (GSV), the exclusive licensee of the AstroTurf brand in the U.S. “It is indicative of our continued dedication to be the leading innovator in synthetic sports turf.”

In the Michigan State study, the GameDay Grass 3D system with all-rubber infill had the lowest average torque of all synthetic turf systems tested, second only to natural grass. Researchers credited the fiber structure of the GameDay Grass 3D system, the only fiber structure containing a Root Zone – a simulated thatch layer at the base of the system – with the low level of frictional resistance. Researchers also noted that the Root Zone reduces the amount of infill required for a stable system and may reduce compaction of the infill layer.

The high amount of torsional friction generated in high-performance sports creates concentrated force that is transmitted to vulnerable ankle and knee joints, precipitating injuries. The Michigan State research team used 10 pairs of cleated football shoes in conducting five trials on 16 separate playing surfaces, for a total of 800 samples. The study measured the mean peak torque produced by various shoe/surface interfaces.

The research summary indicated that the highest mean torque was produced by the Field Turf system, a result attributed to the amount of space, or gauge length, between the rows of fibers. According to the study, the greater gauge length in the Field Turf system (3/4” versus 3/8” in all other systems tested) may result in deeper cleat penetration into the infill and, in the case of densely compacted infill, higher torque.

“According to this study, the risk of injury due to increased stress on knee and ankle joints is elevated on artificial turf systems that have less fiber and more infill, and have a greater potential for compaction,” said Dr. Rod Walters, President of Walters Inc., Consultants in Sports Medicine, and former Director of Sports Medicine at the University of South Carolina. “The good news is that breakthrough innovations such as the Root Zone in AstroTurf’s GameDay Grass 3D represent a significant advancement in the evolution of synthetic turf, making it much more realistic and forgiving than most of the standard artificial turf systems currently in use, something that coaches, athletic trainers and athletes should be very excited about.”

The North American Congress on Biomechanics (NACOB) is the combined annual meetings of the American Society of Biomechanics and the Canadian Society for Biomechanics. It is held jointly every six years to promote the exchange of ideas and foster new collaborations in the field of biomechanics.

To learn more, visit www.astroturfusa.com/news/MSUStudy.html