Science is everywhere. In every process in the universe, on our planet and in all aspects of our lives. Science helps us to understand the world around us, to study it and ultimately to help us to live sustainably on our planet. Sports surface design and management is no exception. Scientific processes underpin the sports surfaces that are played on daily. That science may not be as obvious as in other walks of life, but it is there, informing understanding and decision-making.

Science in sports surface management

Turf managers’ work is underpinned by science. When you consider the requirements for playing on a living surface such as a golf green, stadium pitch or an equestrian racetrack, it can be hard to comprehend that the participants are playing or racing on biology.

And it’s not just biology, material interactions and water flow demonstrate the physics, the chemistry inside the plant and in the soil portrays how nutrients interact with soil particles and the plant roots. The geography and geology that define the characteristics of the landscapes which sports surfaces sit within, and the ecology of the vegetation that grows in and around these facilities.

It is not just the sports surfaces and infrastructure that are governed by scientific processes, but it extends to the participants by influencing their health and well-being, as well as the psychology of playing sport, whether it is at the local park or in a premiership stadium.

The three specific examples common to all types of natural grass sports surfaces and the science behind the processes, albeit less obvious, can be:

  • Mowing – most of us are familiar with mowers, whether it is mowing the turf on our lawns at home through to mowing an entire golf course or pitch. It is so common that it can be difficult to see the science. However, if we stop and consider the engineering that goes into designing mowers so they can effectively do their job whilst minimising the impact on the biology of grass plant it brings us straight to the science. Having part of the leaf cut off on a regular basis could be highly damaging, but plants have evolved (another piece of science!) to cope with this and mower blades are designed to give the cleanest cut possible so that the wounds heal as quickly as possible, thereby reducing the potential for bugs to enter the plant and cause mischief.

 

  • Fertiliser application – plants need nutrients to survive. Most often they harvest what they need from the wider environment, but because of the damage caused through use and the removal of clippings, additional nutrients are often needed. Understanding the science behind turf nutrient requirements, how fertilisers release their nutrients and how these nutrients are taken up by grass plants are vital for success. Likewise, the engineering and science in the methods of application, whether is it a granular applicator or a sprayer is vital for getting the right amount of nutrient where the grass plant and the turf manager require it.

 

 

  • Aeration – managing the soil and how air and water can penetrate it is another core turf management process. Understanding the engineering of the aerators and the science governing their impact of soil compaction, air and water movement, and its interaction with the soil ecosystem are essential to getting the best from this maintenance procedure.

 

Science in sports surface research

Behind the scenes, scientific research is being undertaken around the world to understand how turf surfaces operate, how to optimise their management and how to meet the global challenges such as climate change. This science builds the knowledge of the principles and processes vital in unpicking how turf and sports interact, and how to get the best from our surfaces. But the science does not stop there, it underpins the products and machinery that are used, as well as the breeding and production of the grasses used for sports surfaces.

At the core of STRI’s DNA is science and research, whether this is through practical applied trials work or in bringing together current scientific understanding in sports surface designs or operation. Right back to STRI’s inception, science has been the foundation for all those decades of advice, design and guidance provided to the industry.

For those who have visited any of STRI’s testing sites, seeing how trials are laid out according to scientific principles and analysed using statistical methods, through to taking assessments of surface characteristics with tools to measure NDVI, soil water content, soil compaction, surface hardness etc., it is clear to see how important that science is to not only STRI but also the whole sports surface industry.

Science behind the materials used to build sports surfaces

Choosing the optimal materials for constructing and maintaining sports surfaces is paramount to their success. They quite literally form the foundation and support the environment needed for turf surfaces. The science behind how these materials function support grass growth and how they are tested is critical in ensuring their suitability.

The analysis of the particle size of soils or sands used for engineered growing media determines how suitable they will be for a particular use. It will determine how quickly they compact, how water flows through them and how nutrients and water will be held within the sports surface. All is essential for a fully functioning sports surface. To be able to measure key characteristics of materials in the laboratory, ranging from their drainage rate to their pH and nutrient reserves, allows for informed decisions to be made on the management of sports surfaces.

Even from STRI’s inception in 1929, testing of soils and surface construction materials has been important. This remains the case through to today and into the future. Utilising what is present on a golf course or football pitch to our best advantage can be the difference between a surface performing optimally or poorly.  Testing methods and apparatus rely on scientific principles and processes, whether it is sieving a sand or gravel, measuring soil organic matter content at different depths down the profile through to soil nutrient analysis. The science of how materials function in the field allows turf managers to make the most informed decisions possible. Science and data is a powerful combination!

Science at the heart of sports surfaces

Science impacts all facets of sports surfaces, but it is not something that is often consciously thought about.  In British Science week, it is important that we stop for a moment and appreciate the work done in years gone by, today and in the future that will help turf managers produce the most sustainable and persistent surfaces, with the smallest possible environmental footprint and robust enough to meet challenges such as climate change and resource availability.