Inter-segmental coordination variability during hopping and running on natural and synthetic turf surfaces

An athlete's performance and musculoskeletal health hinges on their ability to adapt their movements to varying environmental constraints. However, research has yet to offer a thorough understanding of whether coordination variability is altered in response to different synthetic and natural turf surfaces. The purpose of this study was to investigate lower extremity coordination variability during hopping and running on four turf surfaces-three synthetic and one natural. Continuous relative phase (CRP) variability of six segment couplings was computed to examine coordination variability during the braking and propulsion sub-phases of running and hopping. Coordination variability in the sagittal plane pelvis-thigh coupling during the braking sub-phase of hopping was significantly affected by turf surface (χ² (3) = 8.365, p = .039), with significantly less CRP variability observed on the firmest of the synthetic surfaces compared to the natural turf (55.3° ± 16.8° vs. 67.1° ± 17.2°, p = .032, W = .16). No other significant surface effects were observed. Our findings suggest that lower extremity inter-segmental coordination variability is largely unaffected by different turf surfaces during an acute exposure. However, the reduced variability observed between the pelvis and thigh during hopping may indicate decreased flexibility of the motor system and warrants further attention.