TenCate Uses Athlete Movement Data to Redesign Synthetic Turf

TenCate introduced its Pivot Performance Turf at the NSCA event in New Orleans, moving away from standard engineering metrics to focus on how surfaces respond to explosive movements. By analyzing sensor data from athletes during cuts, landings, and rapid acceleration, developers aimed to create a more predictable environment for high-intensity training. The resulting system ditches traditional rubber infill in favor of a fiber-based construction designed for consistency under repeated use.

Joe Fields, CEO of TenCate Americas, noted that the objective is to integrate surface design into the broader performance ecosystem, ensuring that the ground beneath an athlete supports their specific movement patterns. Colin Young, the company’s Chief Technical Officer, emphasized that while traditional lab testing remains necessary, the nuance provided by athlete feedback during fatigue and directional changes is essential for creating surfaces that minimize variability. This shift reflects a growing trend where performance staffs demand that the playing field functions as a predictable extension of the training equipment.