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Gerflor's Taraflex sports flooring
In the countdown to the 2012 Olympic Games in London, the emphasis amongst specifiers is on finding flooring solutions which offer championship sporting facilities that minimise the risk of injury to top level athletes and provide long term facilities which are suitable for the wider community.
This means floors which not only soften blows from the inevitable trips and tumbles, borne of a commitment to the highest level of sporting achievement, and which also provide a versatile surface for hosting often high income-generating, non-sporting events.
From a sporting perspective the essential factors contributing to a good sports floor have been set down in the new European Standard for sports floors which came into effect in January 2007.
EN 14904 has raised awareness for sporting requirements across the whole of Europe, although the UK is the first country to implement the standard.
EN 14904 consolidates the legal requirements for sports flooring to include force reduction, vertical deformation and grip and slip performance expressed as a co-efficient of friction. Essentially, uniform friction should be achieved so that grip and slide are consistent across the entire surface.
Good shock absorption reduces the risk of injuries sustained by tripping and falling and also cuts down on injuries sustained by hard floor jarring and vibration. Flooring should also have the right level of energy return to offer optimum ball bounce and performance.
Where the flooring is used for nonsporting activities, there are a number of key factors to be taken into account for example; the floor has to be resistant to indentation from non-sporting furniture e.g. bleacher seating and shoe heels.
Maintenance also becomes a key factor where a facility is often in constant use and needs to be kept looking its best at all times.
Gerflor is already experiencing increased interest in the Taraflex sports flooring systems due, in part, to the new standard which confirms the sporting characteristics of the full range but also in anticipation of the forthcoming Olympics. Taraflex has been specified for the Olympics since 1976. In the UK Gerflor is already receiving enquiries for its products for 2012 training grounds.
Installing a reputable sports flooring for training situations will help to significantly reduce injuries to the athletes, particularly with younger athletes. A good grip slide compromise is essential to allow some slide while also ensuring foothold for rapid acceleration. Children in particular are prone to the risks of injury from hard floors; providing a surface that cushions and has a friction burn free surface provides added confidence to perform better. By the same token, more seasoned athletes need adequate shock absorption to ensure older muscles and bones are suitably protected to allow full commitment to the game.
The versatility and value of a good sports floor was seen recently at the Turbo Tennis tournament held at the O2 arena in London. With a number of top players competing, including Andy and Jamie Murray, Pat Cash and Goran Ivanisovic, the afternoon tournament was eventually won by Andy Murray.
According to tournament organiser, Jeremy Palmer-Tomkinson, the surface was ideal for this new form of tennis tournament. “Gerflor’s Taraflex is an excellent surface upon which to play this urban version of professional tennis,” he commented. “It was laid down effortlessly and gave the players a fast and perfectly true court that in every way complemented the aggressive nature of Turbo Tennis.”
With fever set to rise in the next five years in anticipation of the 2012 London Olympics, sports flooring is becoming increasingly popular not only for the major venues but also for training facilities. In Dublin, Gerflor is helping to construct a number of training camps specifically for 2012 to give the young athletes enough time and opportunity to maximize their potential. For facility owners, it makes good economic sense to specify a reputable and proven product such as Taraflex that not only provides a suitable surface, but is ultra low maintenance, not requiring any dressing or polish to keep in top class condition.
