fLEX
- Connects performance data with agronomical insights
- True player-to-surface simulation
- Multi-sport adaptability
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At the top level of sport, every detail matters, and fLEX ensures no detail is overlooked. By combining reliable data with a user-friendly design, it transforms pitch testing into a powerful tool for daily decision-making. fLEX empowers grounds teams, performance staff, and athletes alike to refine their approach, safeguard player safety, and deliver consistent, world-class surfaces. With fLEX, sports become even more evidence-driven, raising every surface to the highest professional standards.
Cleat testing: precision insights for elite athletes
Every movement starts with the ground beneath your feet. With fLEX, you can finally see what your boots feel by testing your cleats. fLEX:
- Reveals how different footwear interacts with the pitch, measuring grip, release, and stability with scientific precision.
- Shows exactly which cleats bring out the best in every athlete.
- Helps identify the perfect balance between control and freedom of movement.
Test your cleats on any surface, in any condition; natural or synthetic, wet or dry, cool or warm season grass. Use the data to match footwear to your playing style, position, and physique. fLEX turns what you feel into what you know, giving athletes and performance teams the confidence to make smarter choices, reduce the risk of injury, and play at their peak.
fLEX variables explained
fLEX measures six different forces exerted on the field: cleat displacement, horizontal traction, lateral foot force, surface firmness, surface recoil, and time to stop. Below, we explain each of these values in more detail.
Cleat displacement
The total distance (mm) that the foot travels until complete traction of the foot is obtained. The higher the number the less stable a surface is for footing. This is a surface stability test.
Horizontal traction
The force (Newtons) in the horizontal direction that is also recorded located at the ankle. The higher the number the greater the traction.
Lateral foot force
The force (Newtons) exerted on the foot in side-to-side direction, indicating the force on the ankle and surface stability
Surface firmness
The force (Newtons) in the vertical direction that is recorded at the ankle. The higher the number the harder the surface.
Surface recoil
The distance (mm) the foot bounces back on the surface. This indicates the amount of energy the surface returns to the athlete.
Time to stop
The time (milliseconds) it takes for the foot to reach maximum traction after initial contact with the surface. A shorter time indicates quicker stability, which is generally favourable for performance and safety.
fLEX Pitch Testing Report
fLEX’s extensive testing results will be displayed in TurfBase. The outcomes are visualised through a traction heatmap of the pitch and a cleat displacement graph. Together, these values generate an overall pitch score, rating the quality of the pitch on a scale from 0 to 10.
Backed by science
fLEX was first developed in 2019 at the University of Tennessee by Dr. John Sorochan, Distinguished Professor of Turfgrass Science and Management, and Dr. Kyley Dickson, who began the project as a Research Scientist specialising in Sports Turf Management. Today, Dr. Dickson leads fLEX as its Director at SGL. Reflecting on the project, Kyley explains: “There was a gap in technology for truly in-depth player-to-surface interaction testing. We asked ourselves how we could detect aspects of the pitch that current devices were missing.”
The University of Tennessee recognised the potential of fLEX by awarding the Chancellor’s Innovation Fund, which supports faculty in moving technologies from the lab to the marketplace. This backing enabled the team to advance development and ultimately test fLEX on over 130 professional fields across the UK, US, and Canada, demonstrating the real-world value of this unique pitch performance testing tool.
Integration with the SGL solution
fLEX is a key part of SGL’s broader pitch management ecosystem, designed to work in collaboration with data collection and management tools TurfPod and TurfBase, (LED) grow lights, and grass disease management equipment.
TurfAssist
Keep your pitch performing at its best all year round with TurfAssist. From a free discovery phase to a full subscription, TurfAssist combines continuous data insights with expert agronomy advice and tailored coaching. Using data from fLEX, our agronomists provide concrete recommendations on maintenance actions, from adjusting irrigation and fertilisation to deploying grow lights. Whether tackling seasonal challenges or fine-tuning daily care, TurfAssist turns data into practical decisions, helping you maintain a top-quality playing surface.
TurfBase
SGL TurfBase is the user-friendly tool for grounds managers to log, monitor and analyse data, to make and justify decisions regarding pitch quality and efficient use of resources. In addition, it optimises operation and efficiency of all SGL products, adding value to the hardware.
Technical specifications
| Dimensions | L 224 cm x W 89 cm x H 99 cm |
| Weight | 350 kg |
| Voltage | 12V (marine deep cycle battery) |
| Driving speed | Walking speed |
| Force applied to grass | 76 kg athlete football | 103 kg American football |
| Boot type(s) | Any boot type size 43 EU and 10 US foot |
FAQ
No. The foot simulates a single player movement and does not cause any damage. The device’s tyres are designed to spread its weight evenly, putting less pressure on the surface than a person walking across it. fLEX tires applied surface weight is 0.22 kg/cm2 based on tire size in comparison to 82 kg athlete applying 0.26 kg/cm2.
The device is straightforward to use and requires minimal training. Once shown how to operate it, anyone in your team can run tests with confidence.
You can test as few as 15 locations across the pitch. However, the more locations you test, the richer the insights will be. That’s why we recommend 55–77 locations for a full performance map.
Key data is displayed instantly on the device’s screen. Once the test is complete, the full dataset is automatically saved and uploaded to TurfBase, where you can review, compare, and track results over time.
The Clegg uses a rounded missile that strikes the surface to measure how quickly it decelerates (Gmax). fLEX, on the other hand, measures what an athlete actually experiences utilizing a 3D foot form to determine: surface firmness, traction, boot movement, the force needed to roll an ankle, surface speed, and energy return. This means fLEX delivers hardness readings plus additional data that directly reflects real player-to-surface interactions.
No. fLEX complements other testing devices. Because it measures pitch performance in a more game-realistic way, it provides a valuable extra layer of information. Using it alongside your other tools gives the most complete picture of your pitch quality.
We tested over 130 professional pitches across the UK, US, and Canada. These benchmarks allowed us to determine suggested ranges that indicate a pitch of good quality.
The device uses a size 43 EU foot (UK size 9, US men’s size 10, US women’s size 11.5).
fLEX stands for Field Lower Extremity Injuries. The name reflects its focus on measuring surface interactions that influence player safety and performance.
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