Compaction analysis in three low-performance soccer fields: a case study

Abstract

Football fields are the stage for major sporting competitions and essential for the practice of the sport, however, the intense traffic players during matches and training causes soil compaction. Compaction on soccer fields can damage the development of grass, affect the health of athletes, increasing the risk of injuries, and impairing gameplay. The present work aimed to identify the spatial distribution of compaction in low-performance soccer fields. Three soccer fields were selected, composed predominantly of potato grass (Paspalum notatum), which were divided into three sectors: S1- goalkeeper area (composed by the small and large area); S2–laterals (composed by the lateral ends of the field) and S3 - midfield (composed by the central interval between the large areas). Subsequently, the soil mechanical resistance to penetration (RMP) in the soil profile of 0–0.20m in each of the sectors was determined and the data obtained were submitted to analysis of variance. It was found that there is a presence and variation of soil compaction in the different sectors of the three soccer fields studied, with averages varying between 654.62kPa and 3788.58kPa. Compaction levels were identified in certain sectors that can be limited to the development of potato grass and harmful to the health of athletes. Thus, it is recommended to carry out decompaction and/or aeration operations in the fields to improve the physical conditions of the soil.