Capabilities

Testing

Mid-Atlantic Sports uses a certified third-party testing lab so we can guarantee accurate, unbiased results.

We commission three primary tests correlated to clearly understand head, body, and foot impact with the field. These are HIC (Head Injury Criterion), GMAX and Rotational Resistance tests respectively.

HIC TEST

GMAX TEST

Rotational Resistance Test

(HEAD INJURY CRITERIA)

HIC is the internationally recognized test standard for head injuries. The HIC test involves dropping a 10 lb hemispherical weight meant to simulate a human head from increasingly greater heights to determine the “Critical Fall Height”. It’s the same test used for playgrounds, automotive crash tests, wall padding, and referenced in World Rugby’s Reg22 standard related to the use of artificial turf. A higher Critical Fall Height, means the surface is more protective against head injuries.

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The GMAX test measures the shock-absorbing characteristics of the playing surface, like those occurring during head and body impacts. It drops a 20 lb flat object from 24”. A high GMAX indicates a surface has low shock attenuation characteristics, resulting in a higher probability that an impact on the surface will result in injury. GMAX is an important measurement when used in conjunction with HIC above, but is not a standalone measure of field safety.

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This test measures the surface’s ability to release an athlete’s foot after each step. The test will help determine if there is enough resistance in the surface for the player to make a successful turn/cut or movement without injury. If the field has too much resistance or too little this can lead to increase in injuries along with a poor game experience. This measurement is critical in preventing rotational knee, ankle and hip injuries, and a third key aspect in player safety.

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