Playing surfaces

A wider variety of playing surfaces is used for physical activity, exercise and sport than ever before. The nature of the sport, geographic location, climate and infrastructure all influence the surface chosen. Grass and clay are naturally available and long favoured for outdoor sport, but synthetic playing surfaces are now widely used because they are easier to maintain and hold up better under hard weather such as rain. Where outdoor play is not possible all year, indoor facilities with wooden, rubberised or acrylic surfaces are used. Surfaces are classified as outdoor and indoor.

I. Outdoor sports

1. Athletic jogging track

• Clay & Cinder - these natural tracks use a combination of fine ash, carbon and rock. The mix gives a softer surface that is comfortable to run and jog on, but the challenge is keeping it even during rain and wind.
• Synthetic - the synthetic surface is made of rubber particles bound with latex or polyurethane over an asphalt or concrete base, often with added layers and textures. In modern sport, most running tracks use synthetic rubber for optimal traction and ideal running performance.

2. Turf

• Grass and Clay - a natural running track that is soft and low-impact, putting less pressure on the foot and reducing overuse injuries, but it is tough to maintain and needs a great deal of care.
• Synthetic sports flooring:
  • Polygrass - a synthetic surface used as an alternative to grass, with a similar look but far easier to maintain; it is officially approved for games like football and is popular for multi-utility use at institutions and residential areas because of its durability and low maintenance.
  • Astroturf - another synthetic flooring, especially popular for hockey. Its surface is even and low-friction, so the ball moves faster and movements become swifter.
• MUGA (Multi Utility Games Area) - common in modern urban areas and places where natural grass or clay is hard to maintain (kindergarten playgrounds, recreational areas, outdoor gyms). Made of synthetic rubber, it has greater shock absorbency, which makes it very safe for a wide range of activities.

II. Indoor sports

• Courts - very popular for sports like badminton, basketball and handball because they can be played all year regardless of weather. Indoor courts mostly have a wooden or synthetic surface; badminton is also played on synthetic mats laid over wooden floors. …