Reebok has partnered with GeneralSports Venue, the exclusive U.S. licensee of the AstroTurf brand of synthetic sports turf products, to study the interaction between athletic footwear and field surfaces for athletes.
The goal of the research is to supplement performance and reduce injury risk through the development of better shoes and synthetic surfaces. Reebok will spearhead footwear product development while GSV/AstroTurf will focus on turf.
Reebok said the research effort will analyze footwear-surface interactions on both synthetic turf and natural grass for an evolving range of athletic dynamics and an array of athlete types, from NFL linebackers to NCAA soccer players and Little League outfielders.
The research will be conducted at venues nationwide, including on a GameDay Grass 3D surface from AstroTurf recently installed at Reebok's global headquarters in Canton, Mass., which houses equipment for mechanical and biomechanical testing.
