Brock base system used for Houston Texans’ practice field
The Houston Texans installed Brock PowerBase underneath its new synthetic turf practice field to help maximize the safety and performance of team members.
The Brock PowerBase shock pad and drainage layer has been proven to reduce G-max, the peak force of impact, which may decrease the risk and severity of concussions and other injuries, according to Brock International.
“With escalating concerns about player safety, innovative teams like the Houston Texans are using the latest technological developments in areas such as shock pads to build state-of-the-art synthetic turf fields that mimic not only the footing of natural grass, but also the safest surface to practice on,” said Dan Sawyer, CEO of Brock International. “Brock PowerBase helps prevent injuries while enhancing athletic performance.”
After much consideration, the Houston Texans chose a UBU Sports synthetic turf system and incorporated the Brock PowerBase to meet its “unique needs,” a spokesperson for the team said. “The Texans ultimate goal is to maximize player safety by optimizing the performance of the playing surface.”
The indoor practice facility, a 17-acre complex that includes illuminated fields and tracks, features a new UBU Sports synthetic turf field.
“UBU Sports, specializing in ground gear for athletes, is proud to have completed this installation for the Houston Texans utilizing Brock PowerBase,” said UBU President and CEO Mark Nicholls. “As an industry leader, UBU Sports often has the opportunity to work with high profile clients and professional sports franchises that demand optimum performance and maximum player safety from their synthetic turf system. Utilizing the Brock Power Base allowed UBU Sports to fulfill the unique needs of this prestigious NFL team.”
Recognizing that athletes tend to experience brain injuries in one of four impact areas – head-to-head, head-to-body, head-to-ball and head-to-surface, the company says it tries to reduce concussions by focusing on safer playing surfaces. Research firm BioMechanica studied the estimated risk of head injury on synthetic turf surfaces with Brock underlayment and found the product reduces G-max, which the lab tests indicated should reduce the risk and severity of concussion; provides the same playability as a pristine natural grass field and mitigates field hardening over time, the company says. In evaluating Head Injury Criteria (HIC), also known as critical fall height, Sports Labs found that Brock PowerBase offered significant improvement in HIC when compared to a turf field that featured a stone base, according to Brock International.
Brock PowerBase currently is installed at fields for the San Francisco 49ers, the New England Patriots, the Arizona Cardinals and at numerous universities and schools including the University of Maryland, Boston College, Boise State, UCLA, Georgia Tech and Stanford.