sprinting on astroturf

    Posted In: Sprints

        • Participant
          Dave Hegland on December 13, 2007 at 12:17 am #13529

          I'm looking for evidence, either empirical or anectdotal, about sprinting on astroturf.  Particularly injury rates, reasons for it being safe or unsafe, etc.  A colleague heard Boo rip on astroturf, saying that it was incredibly injurious and should be avoided.  I've looked around the site but haven't seen much. 

          Thoughts?

        • Participant
          johnstrang on January 21, 2008 at 5:51 am #68158

          we do all our running workouts on it all winter long and I get a lot off turf toe foot type problems. Also, it seems like a lot of teammates have shin problems when we switch back to outdoor track

        • Keymaster
          Mike Young on January 21, 2008 at 9:24 pm #68163

          We do a lot of our tempo running on an outdoor turf-grass (different than astroturf) in the late fall and winter months. Because the turf-grass doesn’t freeze (like dirt/grass) it stays pliable which makes it good for tempo days. We don’t every really SPRINT on it though. It’s too mushy.

          As far as astroturf I’d probably avoid sprinting on it if I had a choice. Not only is it mushy but it tends to hold the foot which is the last thing you want for sprinting. It’s also one of the reasons why it’s so injurious for athletes doing lateral movements.

          ELITETRACK Founder

        • Participant
          burkhalter on January 21, 2008 at 9:36 pm #68157

          What do you think about running on basketball court in the winter months?

          Lately on cold days I’ve been running 20-30m accels and when opening the door to the gym I can get in 50m flys as well.

          I run these runs in Racing Flats not trainers.

        • Keymaster
          Mike Young on January 21, 2008 at 10:57 pm #68166

          What do you think about running on basketball court in the winter months?

          Sometimes, it’s ‘gotta do what you gotta do.’ I’ve really noticed that since moving back up north in to an often times shared and always cramped indoor facility.

          Lately on cold days I’ve been running 20-30m accels and when opening the door to the gym I can get in 50m flys as well.

          I run these runs in Racing Flats not trainers.

          Sounds fine to me. I’ve done this with clients before who didn’t have access to a track or artificial surface.

          My main dislikes about basketball courts is that athletes tend to slip at both the start AND when they get to top end speed increasing ground contact and backside mechanics.

          ELITETRACK Founder

        • Participant
          burkhalter on January 21, 2008 at 11:12 pm #68168

          I’ve noticed the slipping as well. Have to do standing starts, not even falling starts usually.

          I only do it when it is below say 45 degrees, unless I can warmup beside the track and go back inside between runs.

          When it is below 40 I’m not running outside period.

        • Keymaster
          Mike Young on January 22, 2008 at 12:11 am #68169

          Regarding the slipping, I’ve noticed that placing a wet towel at the start and stepping on it just prior to setting up for the run will help to increase friction under the shoes and reduce slipping.

          ELITETRACK Founder

        • Participant
          burkhalter on January 22, 2008 at 12:13 am #68170

          Cool. I’ll try that this week.

          THanks!

        • Participant
          burkhalter on January 31, 2008 at 8:30 pm #68275

          Regarding the slipping, I’ve noticed that placing a wet towel at the start and stepping on it just prior to setting up for the run will help to increase friction under the shoes and reduce slipping.

          Thanks for that tidbit. Been working great!

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