At the time, industry-standard Advanced Artificial Athlete (AAA) systems provided valuable measurements such as Shock Absorption (%), Vertical Deformation (mm) and Energy Restitution (%). However, these systems are heavy, cumbersome and less practical for quick data collection. Simpler devices such as the Clegg Hammer and GMax offered ease of use, but each provided only part of the overall picture in what is effectively a Hardness value. Our ambition was to combine the best aspects of all three systems into a single device.

For many years, skin injury testing for sports surfaces has relied primarily on friction measurements. However, research has shown that athlete–surface interaction is far more complex, involving impact, deceleration, sliding behaviour and temperature alongside visible skin damage.Our latest Field Notes article introduces SLIDE (Sports Labs Injury & Decelerator Evaluator), a biofidelic testing system developed to better represent real player interactions while integrating into existing durability testing. 

The article explains why this approach provides a more representative assessment of skin injury potential and how it can be used to evaluate surfaces throughout their service life. 

Read how Sports Labs' in-house Balance Test Device quantifies the offset between a football's centre of mass and centre of volume to the millimetre.

As squash expands globally and moves towards LA 2028, the World Squash Quality Programme introduces a new era of structured certification, focusing on safety, performance and consistency.

Developed with Sports Labs, the new flooring specification sets clear, internationally aligned standards while supporting innovation and long-term growth across the sport.