ASSESSMENT OF THE MECHANICAL-PROPERTIES OF AREA-ELASTIC SPORT SURFACES WITH VIDEO ANALYSIS

Mechanical properties of a surface are assumed to be of importance wit h respect to injuries, comfort, and performance in sport. For a better understanding of the factors that do influence the etiology of injuri es as well as comfort, a method was developed to compare mechanical ch aracteristics of wooden area-elastic indoor surfaces. The method was b ased on video analysis of markers mounted on the surface during tests using human subjects performing movements. The method provided informa tion concerning deflection. area-elasticity, and vibration. With the p roposed methodology it was possible to detect differences with respect to these variables in differently built wooden sport surfaces. The ac curacy of the analysis was greater than 0.1 mm. The results show that it was possible to use the proposed methodology in the assessment of t he area-elastic wooden sport surfaces. This information may be at help in understanding the relation between surface characteristics and sur face-related injuries, comfort, and possible fatigue.