Performance surface

Last updated October 31, 2024

A performance surface is a type of flooring with attributes suitable for dance or sport. The word performance in this context will refer to any means of displaying physical movement. This includes theatrical, athletic, and recreational forms of performance. However, these different disciplines all require specialized floors to accommodate their specific physicality. Performance surfaces are normally designed as a sprung floor with additional material or layers on top, to create a complete dance floor or sports floor. Dance performance surfaces are denoted by using a layer of Marley, a popular type of vinyl, on top of a sprung floor.^[1] Theatres often have a number of roll-out floors with different characteristics to satisfy the requirements of different forms of dance. In addition, athletic flooring has been found to require different and new technological mechanisms to enhance performance. Flooring for spaces like clubs or ballrooms also serves a different purpose and therefore utilizes different properties.

Quality Performance Surface: General

Generally, a wood surface is standard for many indoor sports. Engineered wood is normally used because it is less liable to warp or shrink and is more economical. You would find this most commonly used for public events, e.g. a gym hall used for a graduation ceremony or a club dance floor. A step above a wooden surface is the sprung floor. A sprung floor absorbs shock and can enhance performance and greatly reduce injuries. This is more common in athletic spaces This is among the many key factors that can influence the quality of a performance surface. A general list of these is as follows...^[2]

Shock absorption: The amount of an impact that is absorbed by the floor, which reduces the load absorbed by the body and joints (Usually measured in %)^[2]
Vertical deformation: The average distance the floor deforms under impact (Usually measured in mm)^[2]
Area deflection: The amount of energy put into the floor that is appropriately absorbed and dispersed^[2]
Traction/Slip resistance: The level of grip the surface has (Measurements vary depending on standards)^[2]

Traction

In general, dance requires less traction than a gym, but these floors must be the perfect balance between sticky and slippery. However, these types of floors should also be fairly smooth, so as to not cause friction burn. This can make it difficult to stop them from becoming slippery when wet. To maintain good traction, it is important to enforce a good floor cleaning regime and recommend sports or dance shoe utilization. If a floor is occasionally used for public events, e.g. a gym hall used for a graduation ceremony, then a floor cover can be used to protect the floor and ease the normal requirements. The main protection though ensuring the hall has industrial-grade barrier matting at the entrance. The building should also have a floor grate at the entrance.

Most of the differences between the different disciplines can and should be catered for by the use of appropriate shoes. On the same surface, a dance shoe with a leather or suede sole will give much less traction than a gym shoe with a composite rubber sole. A sticky floor used for the gym is very likely to cause twisted ankles, and a slippery floor used for dancing is liable to cause bad falls.

Footwear nowadays tends to have a higher traction. For occasions like weddings, where the dancers may not have proper footwear, a slightly slippier floor could compensate somewhat, but a highly polished floor can be very dangerous with leather soles. Both gyms and dance clubs are better off providing good safe floors and encouraging the use of proper footwear.

Performance surface construction

Dance flooring

Hardwood flooring in a dance studio CCN-de-Rennes-et-de-Bretagne-studio-Francis-Mbida.jpg — Hardwood flooring in a dance studio

The performance surface of professional dance facilities normally consists of a base hardwood, engineered wood, or laminate. Dancers perform at high levels of physicality that require significant intervention to protect their bodies and enhance performance. The flooring they dance upon must exhibit all of the key factors stated above: shock absorption, vertical deformation, area deflection, and slip resistance.^[3] These are regularly achieved through the use of suspended flooring^[3] or the sprung floor. For professional dance, vinyl sheeting is commonly placed on top and may be removable or replaceable. Roll-up vinyl sheeting, or Marley flooring,^[1] normally consists of:

A thin top wear layer that also has UV light protection. Ultraviolet light rapidly degrades vinyl. This layer has to provide the proper traction and tends to be matte rather than shiny as for domestic vinyl.
A layer of vinyl which supports the wear layer. This also provides the main color.
A woven fiber interlayer. This stops the floor from deforming and also provides some area elasticity.
A bottom layer of foamed vinyl which provides the softness.

*When stored the vinyl should not be bent sharply - it should be on rolls. When there are a number of different surfaces for a hall these can be kept on special storage carts which keep them separate rather than lying on each other.*

Vinyl is a better choice for various types of dance or more general community use. There are different requirements for each type of dance, but the differences can mostly be accommodated for by changes in the dance surface. For instance, Riverdance, like tap dance, requires a harder surface, like hardwood, that makes a sound. Ballet requires a softer surface because of the high jumps and the possibility of falls. Ballroom dancing requires less traction than Scottish country dancing.

Injury rates

Several studies exist pertaining to the medical significance of proper training surfaces for professional dancers.^[3] The quality of a dance floor has been attributed as a factor in injury incidences by both research and the dancers themselves. It is emphasized that a quality dance floor must consist of adequate visible surfacing as well as sprung flooring, and the absence of one cannot be compensated for by the existing part.^[4] 291 of 2,281 reported injuries spanning 17 years were attributed to faulty flooring by professional and student dancers.^[5] Lower limb injuries are the most common,^[6] accompanied by complaints regarding traction issues, with the floor either being too slippery or having too much friction.^[5] Shock absorption qualities are also important to consider a surface being too firm can cause the body to absorb large amounts of energy during landings, which equates to lower limb stress and injury risks.^[6]

Much of the issue with dance flooring is the inconsistencies across facilities. In many instances, preference must give way to the necessity of dancing on whatever surface is installed in a given school, studio, or theater.^[5] Therefore, not only studios but also stages should be equipped with proper dance floors in order to prevent injuries among performers.^[4]

Athletic/Sports flooring

In general, sports flooring is designed for player safety and with performance enhancement in mind.^[7] Different sports have different requirements for the surface they play and practice on. This has led to the creation of a variety of engineered surfaces. The following is a list of commonly used flooring within sports facilities.^[7]

Polyurethane: These are the most durable floors with maximum slip and wear resistance. The cushioned element of a polyurethane floor, with its 2mm surface finely tuned with a softer underlayer, distinguishes it from other flooring options, making it a top choice for athletes and facility managers seeking both performance and comfort.^[7]
Rubber-crumb: EPDM rubber crumb flooring (polymetric surfaces) is regularly used for outdoor basketball courts, children’s playgrounds, and multi-use game areas. Rubber flooring is used to protect a substrate (e.g. concrete) from heavy shock.^[7]
Timber: Timber is the traditional material for sports hall flooring. Damping layers, shock pads, and anchoring techniques determine this flooring's level of performance. It delivers incredible bound and friction reduction, but the timber must be resurfaced every ten years with new lacquer.^[7]
Vinyl: Vinyl is the cheapest option for sports hall flooring, offering good all-around performance and durability. Although the top surface is more susceptible to abrasion damage, vinyl is a good option where specific elastic performance is wanted, as it can be manufactured to enhance this. ^[7]

Other technology

Discussion of nanotechnology has also entered the athletic sphere. The use of nanomaterials, in clothing, textiles, equipment, and sports flooring, is becoming more and more common within athletics.^[8] This technology, in the form of SiO₂, TiO₂, Al₂O₃, CaCO₃, and similar particles, has numerous property-enhancing abilities when combined with fibers or substrates. In relation to sports flooring, the addition of nanomaterials has been reported to have strong water and oil-proof properties.^[8] Specific nanoparticles dispersed throughout polyurethane fibers intensify the stretch and heat resistance of sports turfs. When nanoparticles are incorporated into running tracks, these turfs show outstanding rebound resilience, elastic recovery, and durability, as well as anti-flaming/mildew/static properties.^[8] Despite its many positive aspects on performance enhancement, nanomaterials possibly have a negative impact on the environment and organisms, threatening human health.

Implications

It is suggested that there is a much more significant relationship between athlete performance and the type of floor they interact with. Recent research has inferred that the floors with the greatest shock absorption properties will reduce a person's vertical jump height and force production.^[9] It was concluded that any type of cushioning, either from the floor or a person's shoe, decreases a person's vertical jump height, and therefore their ability to create vertical force.^[9] This has led to hypotheses that wonder if other aspects of athletic performance are also altered by different types of flooring.

Related Research Articles

The balance beam is a rectangular artistic gymnastics apparatus and an event performed using the apparatus. The apparatus and the event are sometimes simply called "beam". The English abbreviation for the event in gymnastics scoring is BB. The balance beam is performed competitively only by female gymnasts.

A floor is the bottom surface of a room or vehicle. Floors vary from simple dirt in a cave to many layered surfaces made with modern technology. Floors may be stone, wood, bamboo, metal or any other material that can support the expected load.

A shock absorber or damper is a mechanical or hydraulic device designed to absorb and damp shock impulses. It does this by converting the kinetic energy of the shock into another form of energy which is then dissipated. Most shock absorbers are a form of dashpot.

Flooring is the general term for a permanent covering of a floor, or for the work of installing such a floor covering. Floor covering is a term to generically describe any finish material applied over a floor structure to provide a walking surface. Both terms are used interchangeably but floor covering refers more to loose-laid materials.

Soundproofing is any means of impeding sound propagation. There are several methods employed including increasing the distance between the source and receiver, decoupling, using noise barriers to reflect or absorb the energy of the sound waves, using damping structures such as sound baffles for absorption, or using active antinoise sound generators.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pointe shoe</span> Ballet shoe with stiffened toe for dancing en pointe

A pointe shoe, also referred to as a ballet shoe, is a type of shoe worn by ballet dancers when performing pointe work. Pointe shoes were conceived in response to the desire for dancers to appear weightless and sylph-like and have evolved to enable dancers to dance en pointe for extended periods of time. They are manufactured in a variety of colors, most commonly in shades of light pink.

A mat is a hard floor covering that generally is placed on a floor or other flat surface. Mats serve a range of purposes including:

Wrestling shoes are a type of activewear that is primarily used in competition and practice for the sport of wrestling. They are also used in mixed martial arts and professional wrestling. These shoes are designed to be light and flexible, providing ankle support and traction. They help to minimize the risk of injuries, such as foot infections or accidental toenail injuries to the opponent. That's why wrestling shoes usually have a high-top design that provides extra cushioning and support to the ankles.

The endpin is the component of a cello or double bass that makes contact with the floor to support the instrument's weight. It is made of metal, carbon fiber, or, occasionally, wood, and is typically extensible from the bottom of the instrument, secured there with a thumbscrew or other tightening mechanism. Most bass clarinets and contrabassoons also have a similar fixture. Endpins became a standard part of the cello in the mid-19th century. Before then, celli were held tightly with the legs. Some performers of pieces of baroque music continue to not use an endpin during period performances. The endpin is widely credited to making the cello more appealing to play for women, who were before compelled to hold the instrument on the floor due to the complicated dress and fashion of the time.

Sportswear or activewear is athletic clothing, including footwear, worn for sports activity or physical exercise. Sport-specific clothing is worn for most sports and physical exercise, for practical, comfort or safety reasons.

A sprung floor is a floor that absorbs shocks, giving it a softer feel. Such floors are considered the best kind for dance and indoor sports and physical education, and can enhance performance and greatly reduce injuries. Modern sprung floors are supported by foam backing or rubber feet, while traditional floors provide their spring through bending woven wooden battens.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wood flooring</span> Product manufactured from timber that is designed for use as flooring

Wood flooring is any product manufactured from timber that is designed for use as flooring, either structural or aesthetic. Wood is a common choice as a flooring material and can come in various styles, colors, cuts, and species. Bamboo flooring is often considered a form of wood flooring, although it is made from bamboo rather than timber.

A floating floor is a floor that does not need to be nailed or glued to the subfloor. The term floating floor refers to the installation method, but is often used synonymously with laminate flooring. It is applied now to other coverings such as floating tile systems and vinyl flooring in a domestic context.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cleat (shoe)</span> Projection on sole of shoe

Cleats or studs are protrusions on the sole of a shoe or on an external attachment to a shoe that provide additional traction on a soft or slippery surface. They can be conical or blade-like in shape and can be made of plastic, rubber or metal. The type worn depends on the environment of play: grass, ice, artificial turf, or other grounds.

Dance floor may refer to:

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Acro dance</span> A style of dance with acrobatics

Acro dance is a style of dance that combines classical dance technique with acrobatic elements. It is defined by its athletic character, its unique choreography, which blends dance and acrobatics, and its use of acrobatics in a dance context. It is a popular dance style in amateur competitive dance as well as in professional dance theater and in contemporary circus productions such as those by Cirque du Soleil. This is in contrast to acrobatic, artistic and rhythmic gymnastics, which are sports that employ dance elements in a gymnastics context under the auspices of a governing gymnastics organization and subject to a Code of Points. Acro dance is known by various other names including acrobatic dance and gymnastic dance, though it is most commonly referred to simply as acro by dancers and dance professionals.

Floor cleaning is a major occupation throughout the world. The main job of most cleaners is to clean floors.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Caulkin</span> Blunt projection on a horseshoe

A caulkin is a blunt projection on a horseshoe or oxshoe that is often forged, welded or brazed onto the shoe. The term may also refer to traction devices screwed into the bottom of a horseshoe, also commonly called shoe studs or screw-in calks. These are usually a blunt spiked cleat, usually placed at the sides of the shoe.

Sheet vinyl flooring is vinyl flooring that comes in large, continuous, flexible sheets. A vinyl sheet floor is completely impermeable to water, unlike vinyl floor tile, which comes in stiff tiles, and vinyl planks, which come in interlocking strips. It is sometimes called linoleum after a visually similar product of different chemical composition.

References

1 2 Dev2023 (2017-02-14). "Why are Roll-Out Vinyl Floors Called Marley?". Stagestep. Retrieved 2024-04-30.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
1 2 3 4 5 Exelbierd, Adam (2023-06-15). "Qualities of a High-Performing Sports Floor". Sports Floors, Inc. Retrieved 2024-04-30.
1 2 3 Seals, Jay G. (1986). "Dance Floors". Medical Problems of Performing Artists. 1 (3): 81–84. ISSN 0885-1158. JSTOR 45440104.
1 2 Wanke, Eileen M.; Mill, Helmgard; Wanke, Alice; Davenport, Jaqueline; Koch, Franziska; Groneberg, David A. (September 2012). "Dance floors as injury risk: analysis and evaluation of acute injuries caused by dance floors in professional dance with regard to preventative aspects". Medical Problems of Performing Artists. 27 (3): 137–142. doi:10.21091/mppa.2012.3025. ISSN 0885-1158. PMID 22983131.
1 2 3 Russell, Jeffrey A. (2013-09-30). "Preventing dance injuries: current perspectives". Open Access Journal of Sports Medicine. 4: 199–210. doi: 10.2147/OAJSM.S36529 . PMC 3871955 . PMID 24379726.
1 2 Hopper, Stephen (2011). "Dancer injury rates, perceptions and landing mechanics on dance floors with varied mechanical properties": 18–162 – via The University of Western Australia.{{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
1 2 3 4 5 6 Lafone, Paul (2020-11-02). "What Are The Different Types of Sports Flooring? | TVS Sports Flooring". Outdoor and Indoor Sports Flooring. Retrieved 2024-04-30.
1 2 3 Harifi, Tina; Montazer, Majid (January 2017). "Application of nanotechnology in sports clothing and flooring for enhanced sport activities, performance, efficiency and comfort: a review". Journal of Industrial Textiles. 46 (5): 1147–1169. doi:10.1177/1528083715601512. ISSN 1528-0837.
1 2 Malisoux, Laurent; Gette, Paul; Urhausen, Axel; Bomfim, Joao; Theisen, Daniel (2017-10-11). "Influence of sports flooring and shoes on impact forces and performance during jump tasks". PLOS ONE. 12 (10): e0186297. Bibcode:2017PLoSO..1286297M. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0186297 . ISSN 1932-6203. PMC 5636165 . PMID 29020108.

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[:7-1] 1 2 Dev2023 (2017-02-14). "Why are Roll-Out Vinyl Floors Called Marley?". Stagestep. Retrieved 2024-04-30.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)

[:12-2] 1 2 3 4 5 Exelbierd, Adam (2023-06-15). "Qualities of a High-Performing Sports Floor". Sports Floors, Inc. Retrieved 2024-04-30.

[:1-3] 1 2 3 Seals, Jay G. (1986). "Dance Floors". Medical Problems of Performing Artists. 1 (3): 81–84. ISSN 0885-1158. JSTOR 45440104.

[:4-4] 1 2 Wanke, Eileen M.; Mill, Helmgard; Wanke, Alice; Davenport, Jaqueline; Koch, Franziska; Groneberg, David A. (September 2012). "Dance floors as injury risk: analysis and evaluation of acute injuries caused by dance floors in professional dance with regard to preventative aspects". Medical Problems of Performing Artists. 27 (3): 137–142. doi:10.21091/mppa.2012.3025. ISSN 0885-1158. PMID 22983131.

[:5-5] 1 2 3 Russell, Jeffrey A. (2013-09-30). "Preventing dance injuries: current perspectives". Open Access Journal of Sports Medicine. 4: 199–210. doi: 10.2147/OAJSM.S36529 . PMC 3871955 . PMID 24379726.

[:6-6] 1 2 Hopper, Stephen (2011). "Dancer injury rates, perceptions and landing mechanics on dance floors with varied mechanical properties": 18–162 – via The University of Western Australia.{{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)

[:0-7] 1 2 3 4 5 6 Lafone, Paul (2020-11-02). "What Are The Different Types of Sports Flooring? | TVS Sports Flooring". Outdoor and Indoor Sports Flooring. Retrieved 2024-04-30.

[:2-8] 1 2 3 Harifi, Tina; Montazer, Majid (January 2017). "Application of nanotechnology in sports clothing and flooring for enhanced sport activities, performance, efficiency and comfort: a review". Journal of Industrial Textiles. 46 (5): 1147–1169. doi:10.1177/1528083715601512. ISSN 1528-0837.

[:3-9] 1 2 Malisoux, Laurent; Gette, Paul; Urhausen, Axel; Bomfim, Joao; Theisen, Daniel (2017-10-11). "Influence of sports flooring and shoes on impact forces and performance during jump tasks". PLOS ONE. 12 (10): e0186297. Bibcode:2017PLoSO..1286297M. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0186297 . ISSN 1932-6203. PMC 5636165 . PMID 29020108.

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