Are you looking for different sporting surface options out there? There are some key qualities that you should consider before making the purchasing decision.
The type of flooring you install will depend on the activity being performed and the person using it. And yes, safety should be a priority in your sports flooring especially when you are dealing with athletes where injury prevention is vital.
Furthermore, optimal flooring to achieve maximum performance is something you’ll need to see a return on your investment.
Here are the primary considerations to make when choosing your ideal sports flooring.
- The Shock Absorption
In the sports industry, it is also known as force reduction. It refers to the floorings ability to reduce the force of impact on it.
It is worth noting that force reduction is associated with the passive landing phase. In the context of an athlete running gait, it means to form the initial heel impact to the moment resistance is applied at the beginning of the active or propulsion phase.
A surface with a lower shock absorption rate tends to be harder and is thus likely to cause joint injuries or stress fractures over time, as the most energy will be returned to the athlete. Even worse, it increases the risks of serious injuries like fractures, concussions, or dislocations upon fall. You don’t want athletes to suffer this fate inside your sporting facility. Then invest in a flooring option with a higher shock absorption rate.
- The Basketball Rebound
It is heavily impacted by the shock absorption levels of the sports flooring. The bouncing of a ball is very important in some sports like basketball. Therefore, when testing how well an inflated ball bounces off the ground, basketballs are used.
If the basketball is bounced onto a soft surface, the vertical ball rebound will be higher due to the surface’s higher force reduction. Therefore, the ball response and shock absorption are relational.
For a basketball court, flooring with a minimum of 93 perfect ball rebound measurements is ideal. With this, it is easier for players to enjoy the game while also guaranteeing their safety.
- The Foot Stability
It is commonly known as vertical deformation. Flooring with an extreme deformation results in rotational lower limb injuries due to its relationship with torque levels during pivoting. With this, a flooring with high deformation results in an unsteady or wobbly foot position. And yes, extremely low deformation isn’t good for the athlete also, it may also lead to impact-related injuries.
The vertical deformation differs from force reduction as it considers the deflection of the surface during the passive and active response periods.
Conclusion
The type of sports flooring you install will directly impact the safety and performance of your athletes. Therefore, exercise caution when considering different floorings to install in your facility. Some surfaces are ideal at accommodating certain sports while others serve as universal solutions for multi-sports arenas. Make sure that the flooring you choose impacts positively on the performance and safety of the athletes.
