Artificial turf injury risk in sports

A late‑July 2026 study of U.S. high‑school football fields found that denser synthetic‑turf infill—indicating a more compacted surface—was linked to higher rates of lower‑extremity injuries, especially knee, ankle and hamstring problems. The same report noted that knee injuries, particularly ACL tears, dominate the injury profile in the NFL, underscoring concerns across both amateur and professional levels.

A few days later, a systematic review of 53 peer‑reviewed studies spanning 1972‑2020 examined artificial turf versus natural grass across multiple sports. Overall injury rates were broadly similar, with roughly half the studies showing no difference. However, foot and ankle injuries were more frequently reported on turf (58 % of studies), while knee injury rates were comparable overall but higher for elite football players on turf. Recent research on newer‑generation turf in soccer suggested injury rates approaching those on grass, indicating possible improvements in surface technology. The review highlighted the heterogeneity of the evidence and the limited number of randomized trials, limiting definitive conclusions.