Pablo Burillo

Artificial turf surfaces: Perception of safety, sporting feature, satisfaction and preference of football users

Abstract The aim of this research is to understand the experience of the football sector on the use of artificial turf (satisfaction, safety, sporting feature, or the advantages and disadvantages). The study was conducted on a random selection of 627 male participants (404 amateur/semi-professional footballers, 101 coaches and 122 referees) that regularly train/compete on artificial turf in Spanish football leagues. The results of the skin abrasion, muscle strain and the possibility of sustaining an injury, on a Likert-type 10-point interval scale, gave a perception of ‘somewhat dissatisfied’ for the participants. The main advantages of artificial turf were their sports features, the evenness of the surface and the good state of conservation. Participants were satisfied with the artificial turf surface. Approximately three out of four participants gave an overall ranking of highly satisfied. The players were significantly less satisfied than the coaches and referees. The overall satisfaction with artificial turf fields was strongly influenced by previous experience, particularly those who had previously played on dirt pitches. These results highlight the versatility of artificial turf to adapt to any circumstance or requirement for local sport and top-level professional competitions alike.

Respiratory Function and Changes in Lung Epithelium Biomarkers after a Short-Training Intervention in Chlorinated vs. Ozone Indoor Pools

Background Swimming in indoor pools treated with combined chemical treatments (e.g. ozone) may reduce direct exposure to disinfection byproducts and thus have less negative effects on respiratory function compared to chlorinated pools. The aim of this study is to analyze the effects of a short-term training intervention on respiratory function and lung epithelial damage in adults exercising in indoor swimming pool waters treated with different disinfection methods (chlorine vs. ozone with bromine). Methods Lung permeability biomakers [surfactant protein D (SP-D) and Clara cell secretory protein (CC16) in plasma] and forced expiratory volumes and flow (FEV1, FVC and FEF25–75) were measured in 39 healthy adults. Thirteen participants swam during 20 sessions in a chlorinated pool (CP), 13 performed and equivolumic intervention in an ozone pool (OP) and 13 were included in a control group (CG) without exposition. Results Median plasma CC16 levels increased in CP swimmers (4.27±3.29 and 6.62±5.51 µg/L, p = 0.01, pre and post intervention respectively) while no significant changes in OP and CG participants were found. No significant changes in median plasma SP-D levels were found in any of the groups after the training period. FVC increased in OP (4.26±0.86 and 4.43±0.92 L, p<0.01) and CP swimmers (4.25±0.86 and 4.35±0.85 L, p<0.01). FEV1 only increased in OP swimmers (3.50±0.65 and 3.59±0.67, p = 0.02) and FEF25–75 decreased in CP swimmers (3.70±0.87 and 3.37±0.67, p = 0.02). Conclusion Despite lung function being similar in both groups, a higher lung permeability in CP compared to OP swimmers was found after a short-term swimming program. Combined chemical treatments for swimming pools such as ozone seem to have less impact on lung epithelial of swimmers compared to chlorinated treated pools.

Influence of the Mechanical Properties of Third-Generation Artificial Turf Systems on Soccer Players' Physiological and Physical Performance and Their Perceptions

The aim of this research was to evaluate the influence of the mechanical properties of artificial turf systems on soccer players’ performance. A battery of perceptive physiological and physical tests were developed on four different structural systems of artificial turf (System 1: Compacted gravel sub-base without elastic layer; System 2: Compacted gravel sub-base with elastic layer; System 3: Asphalt sub-base without elastic layer; System 4: Asphalt sub-base with elastic layer). The sample was composed of 18 soccer players (22.44±1.72 years) who typically train and compete on artificial turf. The artificial turf system with less rotational traction (S3) showed higher total time in the Repeated Sprint Ability test in comparison to the systems with intermediate values (49.46±1.75 s vs 47.55±1.82 s (S1) and 47.85±1.59 s (S2); p<0.001). The performance in jumping tests (countermovement jump and squat jump) and ball kicking to goal decreased after the RSA test in all surfaces assessed (p<0.05), since the artificial turf system did not affect performance deterioration (p>0.05). The physiological load was similar in all four artificial turf systems. However, players felt more comfortable on the harder and more rigid system (S4; visual analogue scale = 70.83±14.28) than on the softer artificial turf system (S2; visual analogue scale = 54.24±19.63). The lineal regression analysis revealed a significant influence of the mechanical properties of the surface of 16.5%, 15.8% and 7.1% on the mean time of the sprint, the best sprint time and the maximum mean speed in the RSA test respectively. Results suggest a mechanical heterogeneity between the systems of artificial turf which generate differences in the physical performance and in the soccer players’ perceptions.

The Influence of Economic Factors in Urban Sports Facility Planning: A Study on Spanish Regions

Sports infrastructure development signals a major economic development in regional and local areas. It has considered one of the main policies related to promoting public health, by various studies. However, economic factors also come into play in the design and location of sports facilities. Our research aims to examine whether the economic development in the regions in Spain helps promote sports infrastructure development, using a synthetic indicator. We also examine the potential relationships in the main economic indicators that determine the wealth and economic development of the regions. There is a significant relationship between the degree of economic development in each Spanish region and the level of sports infrastructure resources. Insufficient investment in sports infrastructure, leads to fewer opportunities for Physical Activity by the population. These results should serve to redirect building planning and sports management policies onto the right path, and also give food for thought.

Análisis del comportamiento de los consumidores ante el factor precio en el mercado de calzado para corredores

In Spain 2,274,074 million pairs of shoes were sold to runners (about 175 million of euros). The economic sector of sports equipment for runners may be living its best moment except for as outrageous war of brands and prices that some authors describe. This study examines perceptions of consumers regarding the footwear market for runners. It was designed and validated a questionnaire to 274 runners (10 km, half marathon or marathon). The technical variables such as comfort, lightness, cushioning and durability are more appreciated than price. Only the aesthetic has a lower score. The price is not the most important factor in the purchase decision. Men prefer a better price than technical and aesthetic features as well as the most experienced and long distance runners.In Spain 2,274,074 million pairs of shoes were sold to runners (about 175 million of euros). The economic sector of sports equipment for runners may be living its best moment except for as outrageous war of brands and prices that some authors describe. This study examines perceptions of consumers regarding the footwear market for runners. It was designed and validated a questionnaire to 274 runners (10 km, half marathon or marathon). The technical variables such as comfort, lightness, cushioning and durability are more appreciated than price. Only the aesthetic has a lower score. The price is not the most important factor in the purchase decision. Men prefer a better price than technical and aesthetic features as well as the most experienced and long distance runners.

Physical activity habits in a European sports event: A case study

The aim of this study is to learn more about the physical activity habits of participants in a popular sporting event such as European Sports Day, which is held simultaneously in five European countries (Spain, Italy, Cyprus, Ireland, and Hungary), and to measure the influence of socio-demographic variables on these habits. This is a cross-sectional study conducted with a sample of 856 participants, stratified by gender, age, and nationality. We statistically analyzed five variables related to physical activity habits: frequency of physical activity practice, places of practice, motives of practice, perceived fitness level, and popular event attendance. Of the participants, 76.8% said they perform physical activity weekly. Fitness/health improvement (34.63%) and entertainment/leisure (26.52%) are the main reasons for the practice of physical activity. Age and nationality are differentiating factors on physical activity habits.

Acreditación de los campos de fútbol de césped artificial: garantía de éxito

In recent decades, artificial turf is undergoing constant evolution, not only in quality but also in the quality of its structural components. This growth has created the need to know the artificial pavement conditions in relation to a predetermined quality standards, emerging different regulations based on the purpose and status of the surface. There are currently three different approval systems for such surfaces. On the one hand, the UNE-EN 15330-1:2007, which is specific for artificial turf surfaces for outside use, more oriented to community sports, recreation and education, and secondly, those that are more related with the high athletic performance, such as FIFA certification (1 and 2 stars), which is international, and the RFEF Mark of Quality (level 1 and 2) which is national. The implementation of these accreditations ensures the quality of the pavement, improving performance and placing it at the level of the natural grass.