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 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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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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Features of Clegg Hammer:

• Compliant with standard ASTM F1702
• CIV / g-max from 20 to 250
• CIV / g-max resolution : 1
• CIV display in screen and storage in SD card
• Easy and quick to collect data
• Cheapest device to measure strength ans stiffness of soils
• Option : GPS coordinate and apps

How It Works

The Clegg Hammer is a well-established testing device consisting of a flat, round metal missile equipped with an accelerometer. The missile is lifted to a height of 45.7 cm (18 inches) and dropped through a guiding tube. The impact value is automatically displayed and recorded by the datalogger.

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Labosport’s Rotational Traction Athlete (RTA) Sensor, paired with our Lightweight Rotational Resistance (LWRR) device, is designed to deliver reliable, field-ready data for artificial turf evaluation. Whether you manage sports surfaces or conduct certification tests, our system offers the accuracy and efficiency you need, fully aligned with international performance standards.

What Is the RTA Sensor?

The RTA Sensor is a compact, highly accurate tool developed to measure rotational resistance on synthetic turf. It supports all major FIFA test protocols, including:

• Peak Torque Measurement (FIFA Test Method 2024-06)
• Rotational Shear Stiffness (FIFA Test Method 2024-07)
• Lightweight Rotational Resistance (FIFA Test Method 06a – also endorsed by World Rugby)
• Low-angle grip (Torque at 10°)

This makes it one of the few devices on the market capable of fulfilling multiple test methods with a single setup. Discover the LWRR device here.

Key Benefits of the Labosport Rotational Traction Athlete (RTA) Sensor

Compliance with the Highest Standards

Labosport’s RTA Sensor fully complies with the latest FIFA Quality Programme for Football Turf (2024 edition) and the 2015 standards. It meets precise requirements for torque range, angular resolution, and signal sampling ensuring valid, repeatable test results in both lab and field settings.

User-Friendly interface and Efficient

Thanks to its intuitive interface and optional app integration, the sensor is easy to use by technicians in varied conditions. It is lightweight, mobile, and fast to deploy, with data stored and displayed in real time for immediate review.

Insightful Data on Player-Surface Interaction

The sensor captures critical values related to low-angle grip and rotational dynamics. For example, measuring torque at 10° rotation reveals how traction at shallow angles may influence athlete perception and performance. This aligns test outputs with real-world player experience.

Trusted by Professionals Worldwide

Labosport’s equipment is used by leading laboratories and field testing professionals around the world. As a pioneer in sports surface science, we ensure every product we release meets the highest technical and practical standards.

Ready to Upgrade Your Testing Equipment?

Equip your lab or sports testing operation with a robust, certified RTA system built for precision and performance.

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