Technical Surfaces, the UK's leading synthetic maintenance specialists, has commissioned the Sports Technology Institute at Loughborough University to undertake independent research into the effects of brushing on the wear of synthetic sports carpet systems.

Their findings challenge many preconceptions regarding artificial turf maintenance and have demonstrated for the first time the influence of long-term maintenance on synthetic turf.

Conducted by Dr Paul Fleming, the objective of the research was to determine the impact of routine maintenance on the wear and quality of synthetic turf. This was assessed by replicating, in laboratory conditions, the mechanical rotating brushes used on synthetic sports facilities, to measure the wear over a number of cycles of brushing on a series of carpet systems.

The conclusions drawn from this ground-breaking investigation are clear and unequivocal; the levels of wear caused by the brushes used by Technical Surfaces to maintain synthetic sports surfaces were insignificant.

"The summary results clearly show a low level of wear that was observed to be caused by the brushing alone," commented Dr Fleming. "The life of 20 years was used to represent a period of time longer than most artificial surfaces survive in practice. In reality, the effects of surface usage for playing the sport or training (total weekly hours at Loughborough University for example, is around 50-60 per week on the soccer/rugby surfaces) and environmental effects are considered to be the main contributors to wear."

For further information, please contact Technical surfaces: 08702 4007000 or visit www.technicalsurfaces.co.uk