WHY A SKIN INJURY TEST ?

In many sports such as football, rugby, volleyball and handball, athletes frequently fall and slide at high  speed. One of the challenges manufacturers are facing is to create a surface that offers a low risk of skin injury during these common playing actions.

Labosport has developed a Skin Injury Test that realistically simulates the fall and slide of an athlete on the surface. The test apparatus measures both the coefficient of friction of the surface, and the temperature elevation felt by the players. Labosport has been measuring temperature elevation since 2017. The addition of coefficient of friction offers a unique technical solution.

TEST TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

  • Athlete weight : from 25 to 150kg

  • Falling / sliding speed : up to 5m/s

  • Sample size : 5m x 0,4m

Typical output from the load cell and the two lines are the vertical force (Fy), and the horizontal force (Fx). The coefficient of friction is the ratio between the two forces during the steady state phase in the middle of the impact event.

The Skin Injury Test uses bespoke apparatus to accelerate a mass and to create a sliding event on a surface with game-relevant kinetics and kinematics (speed and load). Temperature elevation is measured using thermocouple sensors, and the coefficient of friction ‘µ′, is measured using a 6-axis load cell whereby,

SKIN INJURY TEST – BENCHMARK

Example of possible application for the SKIN INJURY TEST

Chemical companies
Polymer suppliers

Design material or additives for synthetic surfaces with reduced friction and/or temperature elevation properties.

Friction test

Turf manufacturers
Infill manufacturers

Design artificial turf systems with reduced friction properties. Turf and any type of infill can be tested separately and/or combined.

Friction test

Indoor sports flooring
manufacturers

Design indoor sports floors with adequate sliding and friction properties.

Friction test

Sports Association
Designers Owners

Include friction or sliding recommendations in their Quality Manual or technical specifications

Friction test