The purpose of this paper is to provide a description of the influence that sport surfaces have on injury. It may help to understand how specific sports surfaces effect athletes, while listing the advantages and disadvantages of such sports surfaces to the runner. Running surfaces cause many sports and exercise injuries because of the frequency of contact between the shoe and the surface. Changes in surface characteristics can alter not only the ground reaction force but also the activation patterns of the major leg muscles. This type of sports surface has both positive and negative effects on the performer. A change of surface may necessitate a modification of technique. The change of force acting on the performer alters the type of injury. This paper will examine the different characteristics, the biomechanics, as well as the injury aspects of sports surfaces.

Sport surfaces are often complex structures with several layers, all of which contribute to the overall behavior of the surface. Friction and traction are characteristics that are directly related to the behavior of surfaces for sport and exercise and have the great

McClay, I. (2000). The evolution of the study of the mechanics of running and its

Various functional standards for playing surfaces have been developed (Bartlett,1999). Bloom (1997) provided a review of the methods of assessing how surfaces affect the loading on the body of an athlete. He noted that "load assessment methods differ for horizontal and vertical loads and depending on whether the surface exhibits point or area elasticity. In the former, the deformation is only at the impact point, and in the latter the area of deformation is larger than the impact area, distributing the forces" (Bloom, 1997, p.4). Some tests are standard materials tests and others involve humans.

example, a heel is 54% more likely to strike on a compliant surface, such as grass, than on a non-compliant surface, like asphalt which has a 23% strike rate. Less strain is placed on the body when running on grass because the entire foot is embracing the grass therefor causing less strain on the body. (Bartlett, 1999, p.1).

Performance. New York: E+FN Spon.

est association with injury (Bartlett, 1997).

on a regular basis. It is not as hard as concrete, but it does increase the risk of injury due to its non-compliance. Because the surface is less compliant, there is an increase in loading; loading causes an increased incidence of tendon injuries and inflammation of the calf muscles.

Ferris DP, Liang K, Farley CT. (1999). Runners adjust leg stiffness for their first step

Some common words found in the essay are:
Sport Surfaces, Farley1999 Compliance, Surfaces Sport, Artificial Athlete, Surfaces Injury, Bartlett1999 Bloom, Athlete Stuttgart, Farley CT, March Judging, Surfaces Various, sport surfaces, bloom 1997, friction traction, sports surfaces, running surfaces, risk injury, bartlett 1999, 1997 friction, drop test, impact forces, surface bloom 1997, influence sport surfaces, frequency contact shoe, friction traction force, increase risk injury,
Approximate Word count = 1377
Approximate Pages = 6 (250 words per page double spaced)