In sports field design, one of the most frequently asked questions is: “Does non-infill artificial turf make athletes more fatigued?” Excessive fatigue not only reduces athletic performance but also raises the risk of injury. Some worry that because non-infill turf lacks rubber or sand infill, its surface might be harder or less cushioned than natural grass, potentially accelerating fatigue. In reality, fatigue is not determined by whether a turf system contains infill but rather by the interaction between surface properties and the athlete’s biomechanics—including hardness, shock absorption, and friction coefficient. This article uses sports science principles and VivaTurf’s technical data to explain how fatigue develops and how properly engineered non-infill systems can effectively prevent it.
1. The Core Cause of Fatigue: Mismatch Between Surface Performance and Biomechanical Loading
Athletic fatigue arises when the body must expend additional energy to counteract ground reaction forces or maintain balance on an unsuitable surface. Non-infill turf only contributes to fatigue when its physical performance falls outside the optimal range:
(1) Overly Hard Surface: Increased Joint and Muscle Stress
If non-infill turf lacks cushioning (no shock pad or low-resilience yarn), its surface hardness can approach that of concrete. During running or jumping, excessive ground reaction forces transfer directly to the ankle, knee, and hip joints. Muscles such as the quadriceps and hamstrings must contract harder to absorb these shocks, leading to tightness, soreness, and accelerated fatigue.
Scientific Data: According to Journal of Sports Medicine, every 10% increase in surface hardness raises knee joint stress by 15% and energy consumption by 8%, causing fatigue to occur 12–15% sooner.
Case Example: An amateur football club using a 65 Shore A hard non-infill turf (no pad) reported knee soreness after just one half of play. After switching to a 10mm shock-pad-backed turf (45 Shore A), fatigue complaints dropped by 60%.
(2) Overly Soft Surface: Energy Inefficiency and Extra Load
Conversely, excessive cushioning—caused by overly thick pads or low-density yarn—creates too much surface deformation. Players sink into the surface, requiring extra energy to push off and maintain momentum. Ball control also suffers, forcing repeated adjustments that increase muscular effort.
Scenario Example: A soft non-infill turf (20mm pad + 15,000 tufts/m²) slowed ball speed by 20%. To compensate, players exerted greater leg force, and muscle fatigue rose by 30% within an hour.
Industry Standard: FIFA guidelines specify optimal vertical deformation between 3–8mm; surfaces outside this range heighten fatigue risk.
(3) Abnormal Friction: Increased Movement Resistance
Improper fiber design or surface finish can cause excessive or insufficient friction. Too much friction increases resistance during stops and turns, while too little leads to slipping — both force athletes to overexert stabilizing muscles.
Data Insight: The ideal friction coefficient for sports turf is 0.6–0.8 (natural grass ≈ 0.7). Values above 0.9 or below 0.5 increase fatigue by 25% and 20%, respectively.
Material Impact: Pure PP fibers (μ≈0.95) create higher friction, whereas modified PE fibers with anti-slip agents (μ≈0.7–0.75) closely replicate natural grass, minimizing fatigue.
2. The Advantage of Non-Infill Systems: Controlled Design to Reduce Fatigue Risk
Properly engineered non-infill turf can reduce fatigue through optimized mechanical properties that align with human biomechanics. VivaTurf’s advanced systems demonstrate this across three key dimensions:
(1) Controlled Cushioning: Precision Matched to Sports Needs
By combining turf fiber elasticity with an integrated shock pad, VivaTurf fine-tunes total system shock absorption to between 50–58%—ideal for minimizing joint load while maintaining propulsion efficiency.
Hybrid Fiber Design: VivaTurf’s “7-straight + 3-curved” mix allows curled fibers to deform and absorb 30–40% of impact energy.
Shock Pad Adaptation: Pad thickness varies by sport (8–12mm for football, 5–8mm for basketball), keeping performance consistent.
Test Result: VivaTurf’s 35mm turf with 10mm polypropylene bead pad reduced knee load by 22% and overall muscle fatigue by 18% compared to infilled turf without a pad.
(2) Stable Hardness: No Long-Term Fluctuation or Fatigue Accumulation
Infilled turf systems often harden over time as rubber granules compact or migrate, altering surface stiffness and forcing athletes to constantly readjust their movements. Non-infill turf eliminates this instability—its fiber and pad maintain consistent deformation and hardness across years of use.
Comparison: A filled turf hardened from 48 to 58 Shore A after six months, increasing fatigue by 25%. VivaTurf’s non-infill turf maintained 45–47 Shore A, with no notable fatigue increase.
(3) Optimized Friction: Natural Feel and Efficient Motion
Through material modification and surface geometry, VivaTurf achieves a friction coefficient nearly identical to natural grass, ensuring smooth foot traction without slippage or resistance.
Material Optimization: Modified PE with anti-slip additives produces a micro-textured surface for controlled grip.
Shape Design: Diamond or triangular cross-sections minimize edge friction and reduce muscle overexertion.
User Feedback: A professional youth football academy reported that after switching to VivaTurf non-infill turf, players experienced smoother turns and less lower-leg soreness after 90-minute sessions.
3. VivaTurf Non-Infill Turf: Scientifically Designed for Low Fatigue
VivaTurf develops “low-fatigue” non-infill systems tailored to different sports through precise engineering and material science.
(1) Sport-Specific Performance Customization
Football: 35–40mm turf, 26,250 tufts/m², 8–10mm bead pad; vertical deformation 5–7mm; friction 0.7–0.75.
Basketball: 30mm turf, 21,000 tufts/m², 5–8mm foam pad; hardness 42–45 Shore A; shock absorption 52–55%.
Testing: Certified by China’s National Sports Quality Inspection Center, VivaTurf turf meets GB/T 39223-2020 standards, with fatigue-related performance metrics exceeding industry averages.
(2) Process Innovation for Long-Term Stability
Fiber Engineering: Triple-layer extrusion with anti-aging and anti-slip agents; friction variation ≤5% over two years.
Shock Pad Manufacturing: Uniform-density PP bead pad, ≤8% compression deformation after two years.
Installation Technique: Layered compression bonding for uniform hardness and stable performance.
(3) Proven in Real Applications
Hangzhou Youth Football Club: After using VivaTurf 40mm + 12mm pad system, mid-training fatigue interruptions fell from 15% to 5%.
Shenzhen Community Court: Users reported less knee soreness and longer play sessions after installation.
Conclusion: Fatigue Depends on System Design, Not Infill Presence
Non-infill artificial turf does not inherently cause fatigue. The key lies in matching performance parameters—hardness, vertical deformation, and friction—to human biomechanics. With precise engineering, as demonstrated by VivaTurf’s non-infill systems, athletes experience balanced cushioning, stable hardness, and natural friction, resulting in lower fatigue and improved performance. When choosing non-infill turf, focus on measurable performance indicators or select a professional brand with proven expertise to ensure long-term athletic comfort and safety.