Labosport is a proud member of the The European Alliance for Sports Engineering Education (A4SEE), a consortium of Universities and Industry partners that strive to improve the education of both student and professional sport engineers and to improve cooperation between industry and academia.

Labosport is dedicated to the A4SEE mission through active participation as well as hosting Innovation Marketplace events at its locations in France and the United Kingdom. Labosport provides students the opportunity to learn about the industry’s business and technical needs for future surface characterization.

To learn more about A4SEE, please visit its website: https://a4see.com/

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The Advanced Artificial Athlete (AAA), also known as Triple A, is an evolution of the standard artificial athletes described in EN 14808 and EN 14809.

It is used to assess the mechanical behaviour of sports surfaces, including shock absorption, vertical deformation and energy restitution.

Validated through round-robin testing, it is now recognised by several international sports federations as a reference device for surface testing.

Key Features of the AAA Device

• Triple measurement in one drop: shock absorption, deformation, and energy return
• Fast and efficient operation, reducing testing time by over 50%
• Simplified design, with no need to change springs between tests
• Integrated electronics for real-time data collection
• Lightweight and portable, ideal for on-site testing
• Low maintenance and highly durable over time

How the AAA Works

The AAA replicates the impact of a running athlete’s foot on the surface using a calibrated falling mass equipped with an accelerometer. Once dropped onto the surface, the device captures and calculates three distinct parameters.

Shock Absorption

This measures how much of the impact force is absorbed by the surface. It indicates the surface’s ability to reduce pressure on joints during play.

Vertical Deformation

This reflects how much the surface compresses under the applied load. Too much or too little deformation can affect stability and comfort.

Energy Restitution

This measures how much energy is returned to the athlete after impact. It helps assess the surface’s responsiveness and performance.

The data is collected and processed automatically, delivering consistent and objective results for surface testing and certification.

Suitable for Multiple Surface Types

The AAA can be used across a wide range of sports surfaces, including:

• Synthetic turf fields (football, rugby, hockey)
• Natural grass pitches
• Athletic tracks and polymeric surfaces
• Indoor sports floors such as gymnasiums or multi-sport courts

It is a preferred tool for ensuring surfaces meet safety and performance standards across various environments.

A Trusted Solution for Field Certification

The Advanced Artificial Athlete is recognized for its:

• Compliance with international test protocols
• High measurement repeatability
• Ease of transport and use in the field

Whether for new installations, periodic surface evaluations, or research and development, the AAA provides a reliable solution for assessing sports field quality with precision and speed.

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The laws of physics that influence ball trajectory are fundamental to understanding the trajectory of a ball. Gravity pulls the ball towards the ground while air resistance slows it down as it moves through the air. However, other factors such as the velocity and spin of the ball at the point of contact or release, or the shape and size of the ball, can also affect the trajectory.

To address these factors, Labosport has developed a projectile model that utilizes data collected from professional games. The model provides accurate results that can ascertain the level and type of mitigation required. This is crucial in ensuring the safety of spectators and property surrounding sports stadiums.

To prevent balls from leaving the playing field, several types of barriers can be installed such as protective netting or solid walls. By understanding the laws of physics that influence ball trajectory and utilizing advanced models and technology, developers and property managers can take necessary measures to prevent accidents and injuries caused by loose balls in crowded areas.

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The Head Impact Criterion (HIC) Meter is an essential tool for evaluating the shock-absorbing performance of sports and recreational surfaces. It measures the likelihood of head injury resulting from a fall, ensuring surfaces meet international safety standards and provide the necessary impact protection for users.

While initially designed for playground testing, the HIC Meter is now widely used for synthetic turf, natural grass, and indoor or outdoor sports fields. It plays a key role in certifying surfaces used in football, rugby, athletics, and general recreation.

How the HIC Meter Works

The HIC Meter operates by dropping a hemispherical aluminium headform fitted with a tri-axial accelerometer onto the surface being tested. The device captures the deceleration data to calculate:

HIC (Head Injury Criterion)

An indicator of the potential severity of head injury. A HIC value below 1000 is generally required to meet safety standards.

Gmax

The peak acceleration measured during the impact. A Gmax value below 200 indicates the surface offers sufficient shock attenuation.

Critical Fall Height (CFH)

The maximum height from which a person can fall without exceeding HIC and Gmax thresholds. This is determined by performing multiple drops at increasing heights until safety limits are approached.

Tested Surfaces

The HIC Meter can be used to test a wide range of surfaces, including:

• Playgrounds (wood chips, sand, rubber tiles, synthetic surfacing)
• Synthetic turf fields for football, rugby, hockey
• Natural grass pitches
• Indoor floors such as gymnasiums and sports courts
• Outdoor recreational areas in schools or public spaces

Its portability and autonomy make it ideal for both certification testing and routine surface monitoring.

A Trusted Tool for Safety Testing

The HIC Meter is widely trusted for its:

• Precision in capturing impact forces
• Ease of use in both lab and field conditions
• Compliance with international norms
• Rapid test cycle and digital output

Used by sports federations, laboratories, municipalities, and equipment manufacturers, it supports safer playing environments for athletes and children alike.

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• FIFA Research Institutes increase their continued support for the Football Technology & Innovation subdivision
• Projects spanning across the FIFA Research, Quality and Innovation Programmes as well the Football Technology team
• Applications to become a FIFA Research Institute will be received every two years with each institute required to meet a defined eligibility criteria and agreed provision to the publication of work in scientific journals

At the recent FIFA Quality Programme Conference and Research Symposium, Labosport, Sports Labs and Victoria University were announced as the first FIFA Research Institutes for Football Technology Innovation. This marks the long-term formalisation of FIFA’s collaboration with these three thought-leading research institutes, seeking to further increase the application of science in football.

Research is central to all the key activities within the FIFA’s Football Technology & Innovation sub-division, playing a vital role in exploring, validating and implementing a variety of products, surfaces, technologies and innovations. Through joint projects, particularly in the last decade, FIFA has built relationships with these institutions and their contribution to football technology is apparent through a number of global standards and scientific publications.

There are many challenges which face the industry and require FIFA’s input, from the democratisation of technology, to new legislation, sustainability and much more.

The expertise of the FIFA Research Institutes will be harnessed in three key areas:

• An agreed amount of technical and human resources made available for the duration of the term, to be allocated to relevant research areas within the FIFA Football Technology & Innovation subdivision.
• Benefitting the wider sports research community by committing to publish their findings in peer-reviewed journals.
• Providing empirical evidence to guide the discussions within the FIFA Quality Programme’s Technical Advisory Groups (TAG), which develops the testing standards and requirements for each product category.The three FIFA Research Institutes are known to many but are introduced below:

Labosport have worked closely with FIFA since the inception of the Quality Programme for Football Turf in 2001. Throughout this time, Labosport have tested products and field installations around the world, and their research and innovation has helped to bring new test methods and standards to the FIFA Quality Programme.

In addition to playing surfaces, Labosport are also involved in other FIFA Quality Programmes such as Goal-line Technology, Futsal Surfaces and the FIFA Quality Programme for Football Goals. Labosport’s core contribution as a FIFA Research Institute will be to accelerate numerous projects to better understand playing surfaces (both natural and synthetic), and to translate this knowledge into new test methods and standards.

Sports Labs’ collaboration with FIFA started in 2005 with a relationship that utilised their expertise in testing surfaces and a variety of different sporting equipment. Since then, as a FIFA Accredited Test Institute in 7 different quality programmes that include everything from playing surfaces to wearable technologies, Sports Labs has become a core contributor to the Research and Standards team.

Whilst one of their key strengths is in understanding the interaction between the player and the surface, their diverse experience across the majority of the FIFA Quality Programmes puts them in a strong position to develop new test methods across the board. Examples range from adapting existing test methods for new offside technologies to developing new measurement techniques for the quality of footballs.

Victoria University (VU) first worked with FIFA in 2016 carrying out fundamental research to establish the feasibility of a standard to assess the accuracy of Electronic Performance Tracking Systems (EPTS). This early research led FIFA to develop and refine a test protocol, which has now assessed over 40 different tracking systems.

VU, a FIFA Accredited Test Institute for EPTS, has recently expanded its EPTS testing to include tracking provided from broadcast video (FIFA Basic), and skeletal tracking used for applications such as semi-automated offside technology.

VU and FIFA will continue to collaborate to generate further knowledge on how technologies can be assessed beyond measuring accuracy and how they can be best understood to help improve the game.

In order to become a FIFA Research Institute a series of eligibility criteria must be met.

• 5 years collaboration with the Football Technology & Innovation subdivision
• Allocation of set amount of research resources to agreed FIFA research projects
• Minimum of 5 scientific publications pre-application with dedicated resources to publication through their term as a FIFA Research Institute
• Demonstrable interdisciplinary research skillsThe application period for new FIFA Research Institutes will be open every two years with the next application period taking place from May – August 2024. This initiative offers a great opportunity to maximise the research resources available to FIFA whilst contributing to real world challenges in collaboration with the industry and academia.

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The Labosport ScorePlay Philosophy

Our unique service is the result of 20 years of sports field testing and agronomic expertise. With Labosport ScorePlay, you can be confident that you will receive a thorough and accurate evaluation of your sports field.

Key Benefits ScorePlay

At Labosport, we understand that every sports venue is unique, whether it is a top-class stadium or a community field. That’s why we work closely with you to tailor our services to meet your bespoke needs. Our team of experts will help you gain a thorough understanding of the current condition of your pitch, including the effectiveness of your maintenance practices, and adapt accordingly. With our service, you can monitor the performance of your field over time, before and after key tournaments or events, whether sporting or non-sporting.

Our platform also allows you to communicate the results to players, staff, the community, and all other stakeholders involved. Moreover, our flexible approach enables you to benchmark and compare your field with other venues, ensuring that you have access to the most up-to-date insights and data.

We understand that different sports and climatic conditions require a customized approach. That’s why we offer a fully customizable solution, enabling us to assess and provide tailored recommendations for your venue regardless of the sport or climate.

Reporting
To ensure that you have a clear understanding of the results, we provide a comprehensive executive summary that includes an overall score presented as a percentage. Our detailed executive summary is presented without any technical jargon and is accompanied by an expert interpretation that provides insight into the findings.

Our assessment includes the identification of key mechanisms that influence the properties of your field, which is presented in a detailed report and analysis of results. Our team of independent experts provides advice and proposed corrective actions based on their analysis.

We also provide a comparison of your field with other similar fields and your own field over time, utilizing our extensive database of sports fields tested around the world, including elite and community facilities, to define and guide our interpretation of findings.

Our powerful interface includes a mapping of key criteria to identify surface consistency, making it easy to spot areas of concern. The data is presented using our unique scoring system, where all parameters are weighted, ranked, and expertly assessed to derive the score on a simple and easy-to-understand ranking scale.

In summary, with ScorePlay, you can expect a comprehensive and easy-to-understand report that provides a detailed analysis of your field, expert recommendations, and comparisons with other fields, all while using a unique and powerful interface.

Criteria
Our assessment covers a range of field parameters, including surface regularity, water infiltration, moisture and irrigation, lines, run-offs, and equipment, and more.

In addition, we evaluate the agronomy of your field, which includes ground cover, thatch depth, effective root depth, ground hardness or compaction, sward color and height, insect pests & diseases, and more.

We also measure the performance and player welfare aspects of your field, including shock absorption, head impact criteria, vertical deformation, energy restitution, rotational resistance, ball roll, and ball rebound.

For baseball and cricket fields, we provide a surface speed characterization that includes pace, bounce, and uniformity.

All of these parameters are evaluated using our unique and powerful interface, which provides a detailed and easy-to-understand report, expert recommendations, and comparisons with other fields. With ScorePlay, you can be confident that you are receiving a comprehensive evaluation of your sports field that covers all the key parameters necessary for optimal performance and player welfare.

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The Labosport Lightweight Rotational Resistance (LwRR) device belongs to a new generation of sports surface testing equipment, designed to measure rotational traction on both synthetic turf and natural grass fields. This type of measurement is essential to assess how much grip a surface provides when an athlete pivots or changes direction. It is a critical factor for safety, injury prevention, and performance.

The LwRR was developed in full compliance with FIFA Test Method 06, which is also endorsed by World Rugby, and offers results that align with the EN 15301-1 standard. This makes it a reliable tool for professionals who need to evaluate or certify sports fields according to international requirements.

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A Modern, Portable, and Efficient Testing Solution

Created as a successor to the original EN 15301-1 rotational resistance device, the LwRR offers a modernised design with improved practicality. It features a reduced weight of approximately 90 percent, significantly improving ease of use during fieldwork. Unlike older, heavier models, this device can be disassembled for convenient transportation and storage.

The stability of the LwRR is enhanced by a large, studded footplate that ensures optimal surface contact during testing. The digital torque meter built into the device provides high-precision and repeatable measurements, even across a range of torque values. This allows for consistent data collection, whether measuring on soft natural grass or more compact synthetic turf.

To further support mobility and field use, the LwRR comes in a durable, compact case with laser-cut foam inserts, offering maximum protection for the components while in transit.

Why Rotational Traction Testing Matters

Understanding the rotational grip of a surface helps identify whether athletes are at risk of slipping or injury due to excessive traction. Testing rotational resistance allows surface owners and managers to find the right balance between grip and rotational release. This ensures that players can move naturally without being exposed to undue stress on their joints and ligaments.

The Lightweight Rotational Resistance test is particularly relevant for:

• Football and rugby fields
• Indoor and outdoor synthetic pitches
• Hybrid turf systems
• Natural grass surfaces maintained at professional level

By providing precise, standardised measurements, the LwRR supports sports field certifications, surface development, and comparative testing across different installations or field conditions.

How the LwRR Device Works

Step 1: Load the Test Foot onto the Surface

Start by placing the LwRR on the surface you wish to assess. The bottom of the unit includes a round test foot with six football studs. Simply step onto the foot to apply a 450 Newton vertical load, which is generated by a pre-compressed spring inside the unit. This simulates the downward force typically applied by a player’s foot during a pivot movement.

Step 2: Rotate and Record

Once the studs are properly inserted into the surface, use the torque wrench to manually rotate the footplate. As the foot turns, the digital torque meter records the maximum resistance provided by the surface against rotation. The result reflects the surface’s ability to offer traction while allowing safe rotational movement.

A Reliable Tool for Field Managers and Test Experts

The LwRR is trusted by testing laboratories, sports surface manufacturers, facility managers, and governing bodies around the world. It is an essential part of many certification and compliance protocols, especially for fields used in competitive sport.

Whether you are looking to evaluate the safety of a new surface or to benchmark an existing installation, the LwRR offers an accessible and efficient solution.

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The LISPORT is still used in the European Standard for synthetic turf and is utilized by architects in countries without their own standards. Additionally, it is an important tool for manufacturers conducting internal R&D on new products.

Benefits of Lisport Service:

The LISPORT is used to replicate the ageing of synthetic turf and has become the standard device for simulating turf ageing.

The LISPORT test method involves a high level of wearing in the yarn and a pulling effect that allows for the assessment of the holding of yarns from the backing carpet. Only a small sample is needed, making it easy to use for R&D of products when raw materials are limited.

The LISPORT is currently the EN standard method for the European market (EN15306 and EN 15330) and features a special stud pattern that generates homogeneous wear.

How It Works

Two rollers equipped with 145 standard studs are used to roll over the sample. The rollers are connected by a chain with a specific gear ratio of 1:1.75, resulting in a high level of friction in the longitudinal axis. The sample is placed in a holder that is capable of producing a transverse movement, which in turn generates transverse friction.

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The development process of this technology took over five years, during which extensive trials were conducted to ensure that the LISPORT XL replicates the wear patterns seen on real fields. This marks a significant advancement in the field, and the industry has already embraced it as the most advanced way of producing realistic simulated patterns.

Method Advantages of LISPORT XL

• Wear pattern is ultra realistic and capable of simulating years of intensive use* within days.
• Testing duration is reduced by a factor 10 compared to traditional LISPORT (for identical sample length).
• Several systems can be tested under exact same conditions for comparative test and product development.
• Samples are more than 4m long allowing multiply tests to be performed according to existing standards (FIFA) and those under development.

The LISPORT XL is a distinctive wear simulation machine that has been carefully designed by LABOSPORT teams to provide the most authentic wear simulation of sports fields. It operates by using a guided trolley that moves across the sports surface, consisting of four elements: two freely rotating rollers fitted with particular studs and two vibrating plates fitted with a rubber sole specifically chosen to imitate sports shoes. All variables, such as trolley speed and reciprocating amplitude, have been precisely calibrated to reproduce typical wear patterns that occur in real-life scenarios.

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