The first standard to regulate on artificial turf properties for paddle tennis is now under way
Paddle tennis is a relatively new sport and, despite the fact that more and more facilities are being made available to the ever-growing number of lovers of the game, it does not receive the treatment that is meted out to a majority sport. In this context, it is indeed remarkable that no studies have been carried out to identify what properties the surfaces on which the game is played should have. As a result, artificial grass surfaces have been manufactured and installed without anyone knowing whether their properties are suitable from the players’ safety and performance point of view. This article summarizes the work that the Instituto de Biomecánica (IBV) has carried out in order to develop a technical document to regulate the properties of such surfaces. It is currently being reviewed by members of the SC3 of the CTN 147 Technical Committee for Standardization.
Valencia“Circuit 5k Jardí del Túria”, a river of runners
Valencia has a new running path 5,731 meters long in a park placed in the city center. The Instituto de Biomecánica (IBV) has advised on the design of the route, its geometry and dimensions, the selection and testing of the pavement, as well as on the circuit signaling.
Natural grass "versus" hybrid grass
Increasing importance is being given to the influence that playing surfaces have on aspects such as performance, comfort or the prevention of injuries. Soccer is no exception, and new types of grass are being developed that endeavor to obtain the best possible performance. One such example is hybrid grass which comprises a layer of porous artificial turf and another layer of elastic. The grass roots are able to pass through the two layers, thereby allowing the natural grass to grow properly. To characterize this type of grass, the Instituto de Biomecánica (IBV) has conducted a comparative study of a soccer field made from hybrid grass with another field of high quality natural grass.
Unassisted running for blind athletes
The aim of the BLINDTRACK project is to develop a guidance system for the visually impaired enabling them to run unassisted around a 400-meter athletics track In many countries, equality of access to public services and places is required by law. The pursuit of sports activities has been shown to have positive effects on people's mental and physical health and, logically, the same is true for visually impaired athletes. With BLINDTRACK, the project consortium aims to improve access to sport for the visually impaired, and thus reflect the need for technology which is conducive to the wellbeing of the blind, and which, at the same time, mitigates their exclusion from sports and leisure activities. The proposed system helps the visually impaired be integrated into the community, increasing their confidence, improving their health, and attaining higher levels of social integration.
BUSCAR / FIND
SOCIAL MEDIA
