The load tolerance of skin during impact on artificial turf using ex-vivo skin as the readout system

Abstract

Background: Understanding the mechanism of sliding induced skin injuries on artificial turf is important to define preventive measures. Recent findings revealed that high peak loads on the knee and thigh during impact of a sliding tackle are critical for inducing skin injuries. Unfortunately, skin failure data under combined impact load is lacking. Methods: In this study the load tolerance of skin to impact on both dry and wet artificial turf and natural grass is investigated by developing an ex-vivo model, a biaxial load applicator and a loading protocol. Results: The critical shear-normal stress combination at which skin breakdown occurred on dry artificial turf was 38 and 20 N.cm−2.  Skin damage on wet artificial turf firstly was noticed at a shear-normal stress combination of 55 and 20 N.cm−2.  On natural grass, skin breakdown only occurred at a combined shear and normal stress of 130 and 125  N.cm−2.  The thickness of the stratum corneum after impact strongly correlated to the applied mechanical load during impact on dry artificial turf. Conclusion: In contrast to natural grass, skin damage on dry artificial turf is strongly related to the magnitude of the impact load. Wetting of the artificial turf system improves the load tolerance of skin to impact.