Imagine your favorite sports team playing on a field that looks like grass but isn’t actually grass. That’s the reality of synthetic turf, an artificial surface that is becoming increasingly popular in schools. However, recent research suggests that this alternative to natural grass may be putting young athletes at a higher risk for concussions. Just as wearing a helmet can protect your noggin from injury, the soft cushioning of real grass provides some level of protection to athletes when they take a tumble. Synthetic turf, on the other hand, lacks this cushioning effect, making it more likely for players to suffer head injuries. It’s like comparing diving onto a fluffy pillow versus diving onto a pile of rocks – one is clearly safer than the other! This study adds to the growing body of evidence indicating that synthetic turf has drawbacks when it comes to safety. To learn more about the potential risks associated with synthetic turf and its impact on athlete wellbeing, check out the full article!

At some schools, grassy sports fields have been replaced by easier-to-maintain synthetic turf. But it turns out that may be more likely to cause player injuries. Noting that synthetic turf football fields have been associated with more ankle and knee injuries, medical student…

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