All sports are physically demanding for athletes and like any physical activity, injuries are always a concern. One of the most effective ways to prevent sports injuries is to ensure athletes are playing on the right type of sports flooring and surfaces both indoors and outdoors.
Indoor Sports Flooring
There are a variety of sports for the indoors including basketball, volleyball, wrestling, tennis and track, and several different types of indoor sports surfaces to accommodate them. When choosing a type of sports flooring, you must consider the uses of the facility. The following are the most common types of indoor sports flooring and their uses:
1. Maple Hardwood
When many people think of gym flooring, the first thing that comes to mind is maple hardwood. Maple hardwood flooring is the most common type of indoor sports flooring and is always the preferred flooring for basketball courts. This flooring type is durable and aesthetically pleasing, with endless design options that include team colors and logos. Most hardwood gym floors have subfloor systems that help with shock absorption, and it is also possible to install portable hardwood floor systems.
2. Polyurethane Flooring
Polyurethane is one of the most durable types of indoor athletic flooring as it can handle heavy impacts from athletes and equipment, and it is the only totally seamless sports flooring type. This flooring type is common in fieldhouses and other multi-purpose facilities in which several different sports are played.
3. Recycled Rubber Flooring
Recycled rubber flooring can be used for many different purposes. However, it is especially ideal in weight rooms and as a surface for training and fitness centers. This type of flooring is one of the most economical athletic floors and it is also very durable, easy to maintain, water and stain resistant, shock absorbing, and it has a seamless appearance.
4. Vulcanized Rubber
Vulcanized rubber athletic floors are among the most durable and high performing indoor sports floors in the industry. They may consist of multiple layers to provide maximum comfort and shock absorbency for a wide range of uses from weight room flooring to multi-purpose fieldhouses. The top layers are highly slip resistant, anti-microbial, non-porous and easy to maintain, while the lower layers provide maximum shock absorbency and stability. Vulcanized rubber can also resist compression and handle bleachers and other heavy equipment.
When choosing a type of indoor playing surface for your campus rec center, consider what sports and activities the surface will be used for, as well as your budget.
Cindy Rittenberry is the customer service manager at Kiefer U.S.A. She can be reached by email at cindy@kieferusa.com or visit kieferusa.com.
