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Article

Research Status and Development Trends of Sports Flooring

by
Feng Ji
1,*,
Xinyou Liu
2,* and
Xinhao Feng
2
1
Department of Physical Education, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China
2
Co-Innovation Center of Efficient Processing and Utilization of Forest Resources, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China
*
Authors to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Coatings 2025, 15(9), 1014; https://doi.org/10.3390/coatings15091014
Submission received: 24 July 2025 / Revised: 21 August 2025 / Accepted: 27 August 2025 / Published: 1 September 2025
(This article belongs to the Section Surface Characterization, Deposition and Modification)
Browse Figure
Versions Notes

Abstract

With the rapid development of the sports industry and the in-depth implementation of the national fitness strategy, sports flooring—as a core component of sports venues—significantly impacts athletic safety and performance. This paper reviews four kinds of popular used sports flooring that are mainly differentiated by their material composition. We summarize the structure, mechanical properties based on international and national standards, environmental adaptability, green sustainability, and smart functionality of the sports flooring. This study compares similarities and differences in international and domestic standardization systems, and analyzes key challenges in multifunctional integration, green sustainability, smart interactivity, and standardized development. Furthermore, future directions in this area, including multi-scale performance modeling, modular smart systems, green material alternatives, and personalized scenario adaptation, are proposed in this study. This work provides theoretical support and technical references for sports facility engineering, smart venue construction, and healthy sports environments.

1. Introduction

With the rapid global development of the sports industry and the deepening implementation of national fitness strategies, the quality and safety of sports facility construction have received increasing attention [1,2,3]. Sports flooring, as a critical component that directly bears athletes’ physical activities, ensuring safety, and enhancing performance in sports venues, has a direct impact on athlete health, injury prevention, competitive outcomes, and even venue lifespan and management costs [4,5,6]. In recent years, the application scope of sports flooring has continuously expanded—from major international events like the Olympics and World Cup to physical education in schools, community fitness centers, and senior rehabilitation facilities—with functional requirements becoming increasingly diverse [4]. Traditional wood-dominated flooring with single-material structures struggles to meet the multi-scenario, multi-user, all-weather, and multi-functional demands of the new era [7,8]. Simultaneously, propelled by interdisciplinary convergence in materials science, structural engineering, sensing technology, and green manufacturing, sports flooring technology is undergoing a profound transformation and upgrade [9,10,11].
From an industrial perspective, the sports flooring market has established a mature product system encompassing solid wood flooring, synthetic flooring (e.g., polyvinyl chloride, PVC; polyurethane, PU; silicone PU), rubber flooring, and composite structural systems [4,7,12]. These are widely applied in various venues for basketball, volleyball, badminton, table tennis, athletics, gymnastics, gyms, etc. Different flooring types exhibit varying performance characteristics in impact absorption, friction coefficients, energy return, compressive strength, antimicrobial properties, and durability, necessitating scientific selection based on specific functional requirements [13,14,15].
From a research standpoint, performance evaluation of sports flooring extends beyond physical and mechanical properties [4,5,6] (e.g., elastic modulus, dynamic load response, and fatigue life) to include environmental adaptability (e.g., temperature/humidity resistance, slip resistance, and ultraviolet (UV) aging) [16,17], sustainability (e.g., volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions, biodegradability) [18,19], and smart interactivity (e.g., pressure sensing, data acquisition, and feedback control) [10,20]. However, current research remains largely focused on laboratory-based material testing, lacking systematic investigation into multi-dimensional composite functions, integrated structural systems, and in-service performance under real-world conditions.
In recent years, driven by strategic initiatives such as “Smart Sports,” “Green Building Materials,” and “Carbon Peak and Carbon Neutrality,” sports flooring technology has manifested several key development trends [9,21,22,23]:
(1)
Structural and Functional Integration: Techniques such as composite layer design, distributed regional mechanical response, and adjustable cushioning enhance adaptability to different sports.
(2)
Sustainability and Eco-Friendliness: Promotion of low-carbon manufacturing, bio-based materials, and recyclable/degradable systems to support green building certifications (e.g., Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design-LEED, China’s Three-Star Green Building Material Certification) [24].
(3)
Smart Upgrades and Data Empowerment: Embedding sensors (pressure, radio frequency identification devices-RFID), edge computing modules, and Internet of Things (IoT) technology enables motion tracking, activity recognition, real-time feedback, and big data analytics for training assessment and rehabilitation support [25].
(4)
Standardization and Global Certification: Convergence between international standards (e.g., EN 14904 [26], DIN 18032 [27], ASTM F2772 [28]) and domestic standards (e.g., GB/T 22517.1 [29]) is progressing, though improvements are needed in testing methods, user-group differentiation, and court classification [30,31,32].
Against this backdrop, a systematic review on the current research landscape—encompassing classification evolution, material and structural properties, testing standards/methods, technological bottlenecks, and development trends—is essential. Such a review not only advances academic research and technological translation within this field but also provides theoretical foundations and practical guidance for venue constructors, material suppliers, and policymakers. Consequently, this paper comprehensively examines the classification, structure, performance standards, advanced materials, manufacturing technologies, intelligence, and sustainability of sports flooring. It further explores critical challenges and future directions, aiming to provide theoretical support for advancing high-quality sports infrastructure development and enhancing athletic safety systems.

2. Classification and Structures of Sports Flooring

2.1. Classification

Sports flooring can be categorized based on material type, application scenario, structural form, installation method, and performance rating. However, the most common classification approach is by raw material type, typically dividing sports flooring into four categories: solid wood, synthetic materials, rubber, and composite structures. A comparative analysis of these flooring types-including materials, structure, performance characteristics, and application scenarios, is presented in Table 1.
Based on the analysis presented in Table 1, solid wood flooring demonstrates superior elasticity and rebound performance, making it ideal for indoor venues requiring high athletic performance, such as basketball and volleyball courts [33,34]. Synthetic flooring, owing to its abrasion resistance, waterproofing, and low-maintenance advantages, is better suited for school gymnasiums, multipurpose venues, or small-to-medium community fitness facilities [35,36]. In particular, silicone PU materials offer excellent weather resistance and are well-adapted for outdoor applications [36]. Rubber flooring, with its exceptional shock absorption, anti-slip properties, and antimicrobial characteristics, is widely used in gyms, rehabilitation centers, and training areas—especially in high-impact environments demanding heavy-load tolerance [37,38]. For scenarios requiring a balance of comfort, stability, and environmental adaptability, composite flooring optimizes performance through multi-material integration, serving multifunctional sports halls or venues with diversified performance requirements [39,40].
Therefore, when selecting sports flooring by materials, multiple factors should be holistically evaluated, including sport type, venue environment (indoor or outdoor), performance requirements (safety, durability, and eco-efficiency), budget constraints, maintenance conditions, etc. This integrated approach enables the holistic optimization of safety, cost-effectiveness, and sustainability. Table 2 summarizes the technical specifications and selection criteria for sports flooring across different athletic disciplines.

2.2. Structures

The structural design of sports flooring must satisfy multifaceted requirements, including mechanical performance, athlete safety, and comfort [6]. A typical sports flooring structure primarily consists of three layers: surface layer, intermediate layer, and base layer (Figure 1) [41]. The surface layer primarily provides frictional performance and wear resistance, typically constructed from hardwoods or synthetic polymer materials. Surface coatings must additionally exhibit anti-slip properties, UV resistance, and easy-clean characteristics [31,42]. The intermediate layer functions to absorb impact and disperse energy, commonly utilizing polyurethane foam, rubber granules, or elastic composite materials [5,43,44,45]. The thickness and hardness of this layer require optimization based on specific sport requirements. The base layer provides stable support for the entire flooring system, typically employing wooden pallets or high-strength composite panels, with integrated ventilation structures to prevent moisture accumulation [46].
Different material types exhibit distinct structural configurations. As shown in Figure 1, while synthetic and solid wood sports flooring share similar surface layer designs, significant differences exist in material selection and structural engineering for their intermediate and base layers [46].
Various sports impose specific technical requirements for flooring parameters, including elastic modulus, slip resistance coefficients, and impact absorption [5,47,48]. Structural design must consequently balance multifunctional adaptability with economic efficiency. Furthermore, the growing demand for smart technologies has spurred the development of sports flooring with integrated sensors and data acquisition modules, imposing heightened requirements for structural integration capabilities [49,50,51].

3. Performances and Evaluation Methods for Sports Flooring

3.1. Mechanical Properties

The core performance of sports flooring lies in its mechanical behavior, primarily encompassing impact absorption, rebound resilience, and slip resistance.

3.1.1. Impact Absorption and Energy Dissipation

Impact absorption quantifies a floor’s capacity to mitigate shock forces, typically evaluated through drop-weight impact tests or static indentation measurements [5]. According to EN 14904-3 standard [26], sports flooring must achieve ≥ 25% energy absorption under standardized impact loading, while professional competition-grade systems require 45%–55% to reduce knee injury risks. Modern PU composite floors utilize multi-layer designs (e.g., high-resilience rubber underlay + polyurethane surface) to integrate point-specific and area-elastic responses, ensuring consistent performance across zones. Advanced formulations with homogeneous cellular PU structures achieve > 65% energy absorption ratios [52].

3.1.2. Rebound Resilience and Dynamic Response

Rebound performance directly influences ball bounce consistency, movement rhythm, and proprioceptive feedback [53]. Standard basketball rebound heights should reach 90%–95% of the initial drop height [54]. Research demonstrates that nano-reinforced PU systems optimally balance impact attenuation with elastic recovery, exhibiting superior restitution rates (>92%) and deformation memory [55].
Comparative analysis of impact absorption and rebound performance across flooring types is presented in Table 3.

3.1.3. Friction Coefficient and Slip Resistance

The friction coefficient is critical for safety during jumping, cutting, and sliding maneuvers. The EN 14904 standard mandates the values between 0.4 and 0.6, and lower values increase slip hazards, while higher values elevate knee ligament strain risks [52]. PU and PVC systems modulate friction via surface texturing and coating modifications (e.g., silica microparticles and PTFE additives) [61,65,66]. Wood floors require multiple layers of coatings for friction control [67,68]. Notably, indoor humidity fluctuations significantly affect friction, necessitating environmental stability maintenance.

3.2. Environmental Adaptability

In practical applications, sports flooring must demonstrate robust environmental adaptability to meet operational requirements under varying temperature and humidity conditions. Heat and humidity resistance serves as a critical indicator for dimensional stability and physical performance retention in high-temperature, high-humidity environments, particularly essential for southern regions or enclosed venues [69,70]. For instance, Dali in Yunnan experiences annual humidity exceeding 70%, representing a typical high-humidity setting, and Enlio’s outdoor sports flooring installed in this region achieves thermal stability through modified resins and heavy-duty sandwich structures. Its low-expansion foamed backing layer effectively blocks moisture penetration, while post-formulation upgrades enable 100 °C temperature tolerance. This innovation resolves traditional PVC flooring issues such as oil exudation and deformation in humid environments. During rainy seasons, the flooring maintains dimensional stability without shrinkage or warping, with its crystal-sand textured surface sustaining slip resistance coefficients above 0.7. Athletes report no slipping risks under wet conditions [71,72].
Low-temperature resistance proves vital for cold regions and outdoor venues, effectively preventing material embrittlement and hardening in freezing conditions. Addressing extreme cold environments down to −40 °C (e.g., Heilongjiang), Enlio’s sports flooring series overcomes low-temperature brittleness through sandwich structures and dual-density designs. The base layer incorporates a 0.2 mm wear-resistant stratum to enhance thermal fluctuation tolerance, while the surface combines microcellular and macrocellular structures where the lower layer fully compresses for shock absorption upon impact, while the upper layer maintains stability. Testing confirms the flooring retains elasticity at −40 °C with rebound rates exceeding 90%, having served outdoor courts for two years without cracking and significantly reducing athletes’ joint impact injuries [73,74].
Furthermore, venues with prolonged sun exposure require UV aging resistance to prevent surface cracking, discoloration, or performance degradation from UV radiation. Wear layer thickness, anti-yellowing coating properties, and substrate structure are decisive factors. High-end PU systems utilize crosslinked polyurea or epoxy-modified coatings, extending service life to 10–15 years while limiting humidity-induced deformation below 0.05% [74]. The accelerated UV aging tests (equivalent to 3 years outdoor exposure) on polypropylene (PP) modular flooring have showed that modified samples with composite light UV-stabilizers showed minimal degradation after 1000 h: color difference ΔE reached only 1.0 (versus 11.2 in unmodified samples) without surface cracking, and mechanically, elongation at break remained at 85%, with impact strength loss below 10% [74].

3.3. Environmental and Safety Performance

As public concern for health, environment, and safety intensifies, modern sports flooring increasingly prioritizes eco-safety in design and material selection. VOC emissions have become a crucial parameter for environmental performance. High-quality sports flooring typically complies with ISO 16000 series (ISO 16000-9) or GB/T 18883 standards, ensuring no compromise to indoor air quality during prolonged use [75,76]. Low-VOC materials are now mandatory in educational facilities, especially primary/secondary schools and kindergartens. Recent shifts toward solvent-free adhesives, waterborne PU coatings, and eco-friendly surface treatments reduce VOC emissions during production and use, complying with ISO 16000-9 and GB/T 18883 standards. These technologies are critical in enclosed spaces like schools and gyms, enhancing user safety. Flame retardancy proves critical for enclosed sports venues due to ignition risks from intense friction or electrical faults. Sports flooring must meet Class B1 (flame-retardant) or higher according to China’s GB 8624-2012 standard [77]. For example, the PU synthetic flooring with phosphorus-nitrogen compound flame retardants has been tested and confirmed to have an oxygen index exceeding 29% without cotton ignition from burning droplets, significantly enhancing fire safety [78]. Antimicrobial properties constitute essential safety criteria for public spaces. In high-traffic areas like gyms, rehabilitation centers, and schools where sweat and dust accumulate, modern premium PVC, rubber, and composite floors effectively inhibit bacterial growth through silver ions, nano-titanium dioxide, or carrier-based antimicrobial agents [79,80]. Moreover, recycling and waste management form essential lifecycle strategies, and reprocessing scrap materials and defective products minimizes raw material waste. End-of-life flooring, especially PVC/rubber, undergoes pyrolysis, mechanical shredding, or composite reprocessing into underlayment or industrial fillers [35]. Some enterprises establish closed-loop “cradle-to-cradle” recycling systems. These measures reduce carbon emissions and disposal costs while aligning with circular economy principles, steering the industry toward eco-friendly practices.

3.4. Smart Performance

Amid the rapid development of digital sports and smart venues, intelligent capabilities represent a key technological advancement direction for sports flooring. While traditional flooring provides basic mechanical functions, next-generation smart systems integrating IoT, sensor technology, and big data analytics will enable real-time monitoring, analysis, and feedback during athletic activities-widely applied in professional training, competition recording, and sports rehabilitation [81,82]. Sensor sensitivity fundamentally determines motion data acquisition accuracy. Mainstream smart floors employ Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS) pressure sensors or flexible resistor arrays to detect pressure distribution and dynamics during athletic movements [83,84]. For instance, embedded high-sensitivity pressure sensor arrays achieve high-frequency (>200 Hz) capture of parameters like step frequency, stride length, and force points, effectively supporting technical movement analysis and skill assessment [85]. Data transmission speed and stability form the foundation for real-time responsiveness. Smart flooring systems typically upload data via Wi-Fi or ZigBee protocols to local servers or cloud platforms [86]. Sports venues utilizing BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) transmission modules maintain sub-100 ms latency while ensuring synchronization across multiple sensor nodes, providing reliable foundations for movement evaluation and injury risk prediction [87]. System integration level reflects the fusion of smart technology with the flooring structure. Highly integrated designs not only minimize sensor exposure and damage risks but also preserve athletic performance and esthetics. For example, triple-layer integration of flexible pressure-sensitive films, signal acquisition circuits, and PVC surfaces enables unobstructed daily motion monitoring and precision rehabilitation management. When coupled with artificial intelligence (AI) systems, this facilitates personalized rehabilitation recommendations, demonstrating significant advantages of seamless integration [88].

3.5. Evaluation Methodologies

Sports flooring performance evaluation systems have progressively matured, incorporating international standard testing, laboratory experiments, and smart functionality assessments. Standardized testing includes European EN 14904-3 for indoor multi-sport floors, specifying seven key metrics such as vertical deformation, impact absorption, and ball rebound-highlighting distinctions between area-elastic and point-elastic behaviors [26]. Germany’s DIN V 18032-2 specifically governs high-intensity sports like basketball, requiring ≥53% shock absorption and 2.3–5.0 mm vertical deformation [27]. ASTM F2772-24 classifies synthetic floors into four tiers with a focus on cushioning, slip resistance, and durability [28]. ISO 10993-18 and ISO 16000-9 address biocompatibility and VOC emissions, emphasizing human health considerations [75,89]. China’s standardization framework has developed progressively since 2005, with representative standards including GB/T 22517.1-2024, GB 36246-2018, GB/T 20239-2023, and JC/T 2337-2015 covering mainstream testing items [29,90,91,92]. While largely referencing European and German standards, implementation consistency requires improvement. Beyond these, laboratories employ mechanical testing (compression, bending, impact), weathering/aging assessments, and VOC analysis (e.g., gas chromatography), supplemented by field performance feedback and sensor-collected data. This integrated approach enables dynamic, comprehensive evaluation systems that enhance accuracy in judging real-world performance. Comparative analysis of regional standards (Table 4) reveals European and American standards prioritize environmental safety and physical-mechanical properties, whereas China’s framework primarily references EN 14904-3 and DIN V 18032-2 [26,27]. Key differences persist: enforcement mechanisms in China predominantly involve recommendatory standards with regional variability, lacking unified third-party certification, unlike the EU/Germany’s mandatory systems. Environmental regulations-particularly for VOC emissions and biocompatibility (equivalent to ISO 16000-9 [75]), emerged later in China, with less refined requirements for low-carbon and green materials. Furthermore, EU/US standards feature more precise sport-specific and structural classifications (e.g., ASTM F2772-24’s tiered evaluation for elastic synthetic floors [28]), while Chinese standards remain primarily material-categorized without nuanced functional guidance. Consequently, while China’s standardization framework aligns internationally in basic structure, it requires refinement in enforcement rigor, ecological evaluation, and functional differentiation.

4. Advanced Materials and Manufacturing Technologies for Sports Flooring

4.1. Novel High-Performance Materials

Recent advances in materials science and nanotechnology have enabled widespread application of novel high-performance materials in sports flooring, significantly enhancing mechanical properties, environmental adaptability, and functionalization [15,16].
Firstly, nano-reinforced composites have emerged as a research and industrial focus. Incorporating nanoparticles (e.g., nano-TiO2, carbon nanotubes, graphene) into PU or PVC matrices substantially improves wear resistance, impact strength, and thermal stability [93,94]. For instance, graphene-reinforced PU exhibits 30%–60% higher tensile strength while improving elastic modulus and rebound resilience, facilitating superior impact absorption and dispersion [95,96]. Additionally, nano-TiO2 imparts antibacterial and self-cleaning functions, while CNT-modified foamed PU enhances compression recovery [97,98]. These materials extend service life while elevating safety and comfort.
Secondly, driven by China’s “Dual Carbon” strategy, eco-friendly materials have become pivotal in sports flooring development. Bio-based and biodegradable materials, including castor oil-derived PU elastomers and polylactic acid (PLA), are increasingly replacing petroleum-based precursors. Recycled materials like crumb rubber from waste tires and regenerated PVC composites offer cost-effective, sustainable underlayment solutions with dual shock-absorption and resource-recycling benefits [99,100]. Plant fibers (rice husk, bagasse) reinforce composite floors, improving strength and toughness with partial biodegradability [101,102]. Although current green materials lag behind conventional counterparts in mechanical performance and durability, synergistic enhancement and interfacial modification show promising engineering potential.
Thirdly, functional surface coatings further expand the application performance of sports flooring. Antimicrobial, anti-slip, stain-resistant, and self-healing coatings improve hygiene, safety, and durability of sports flooring in high-traffic venues (schools, gyms, hospitals) [103,104,105]. Technologies include silver/copper ion additives and photocatalytic self-cleaning coatings that broadly inhibit bacteria/viruses [106]. UV-absorbing coatings prevent aging and cracking, extending service life. Polyurethane and silicone systems with dynamic bonds or embedded micro/nanocapsules can autonomously close scratches at room temperature, restoring gloss and barrier properties after abrasion typical of courts, balls, and gear [107,108]. These easily applied, low-maintenance coatings are becoming standard in premium products. Future developments in smart materials, such as self-healing coatings, will enable multifunctional integrated coatings with active responsiveness and environmental adaptability.

4.2. Manufacturing Process Innovations

Advanced manufacturing technologies increasingly ensure performance stability and structural uniformity. Multi-layer composite floors commonly employ lamination and hot-pressing to bond functional layers (wear, cushioning, stabilization), enhancing impact resistance, deformation tolerance, and dimensional stability under humidity/temperature fluctuations-particularly vital for high-intensity venues [109,110]. PVC sports flooring, for example, utilizes 3–5 layer hot-pressing to form highly resilient structures with improved rebound and shock absorption [35,93].
Mold forming and automated production technologies enhance precision and efficiency. High-precision molds ensure consistent texture and dimensions, while automated feeding, laminating, cutting, and packaging reduce human error and increase output. This supports mass production and cost reduction for diverse market demands. Molded designs also enable customization (embedded logos, patterns) for esthetic and branding purposes.
Embracing smart manufacturing, premium producers implement IoT-based real-time production monitoring. Integrated online thickness gauges, infrared defect detection, and automated batching systems dynamically adjust material ratios while monitoring critical parameters: hot-press temperature, lamination pressure, and surface flatness [111,112]. These technologies ensure product consistency and traceability while identifying defects early, preventing batch failures. This Industry 4.0 approach drives the industry toward intelligent, high-quality manufacturing.

5. Smart Sports Flooring and Future Development Trends

5.1. System Integration and Data Applications

Hardware-software integration is pivotal. Current platforms combine embedded processors, edge computing nodes, database interfaces, and visualization tools to execute data acquisition, preprocessing, modeling, and feedback [113]. AI algorithms enable gait recognition, movement assessment, and behavior prediction. Integrated systems connect wearables, cameras, and fitness equipment, forming multi-source interactive networks [114]. Smart badminton courts exemplify this, analyzing stroke frequency, movement patterns, and heart rate to provide personalized training insights, advancing data-driven sports development [115].

5.2. Sustainability Trends

China’s “Dual Carbon” strategy propels green transformation. Water-based adhesives, low-VOC coatings, and bio-based polymers (e.g., castor-oil PU with elasticity and renewability) reduce pollution while enhancing user safety. Closed-loop material recycling-such as shredded PVC floors repurposed as elastic underlayment-promotes resource efficiency [31,101]. High-durability, low-maintenance designs extend product lifecycles and reduce carbon footprints. International certifications (LEED, BREEAM) increasingly mandate sustainable sourcing, compelling industry-wide eco-innovation.

5.3. Standardization and Global Collaboration

Standardization systems are undergoing integration. While EN 14904-3, DIN V 18032-2, ASTM F2772-24, and GB/T 22517.1, etc., regulate mechanical/safety properties, unified smart and green evaluation frameworks remain lacking. Developing standards for data accuracy, transmission security, and system stability is imperative. Enhancing international mutual recognition, particularly for green certifications and carbon accounting, will boost Chinese products’ global competitiveness. Participation in ISO/IEC standard development and transnational academia-industry collaboration will accelerate global standardization in intelligence and sustainability.

6. Conclusions and Perspectives

As critical sports infrastructure, sports flooring research has expanded beyond traditional mechanics to encompass materials science, structural engineering, smart technologies, and sustainability. Therefore, when selecting sports flooring, multiple factors should be holistically evaluated, including sport type, environment (indoor or outdoor), performance requirements, budget constraints, maintenance conditions, etc. This integrated approach enables the holistic optimization of safety, cost-effectiveness, and sustainability. This review categorized four kinds of sports flooring and their performance metrics, analyzed global standards and testing methods, and evaluated material/process innovations. It identified current bottlenecks in standardization, green material adoption, and smart integration, providing theoretical and practical references for future work.
Future research will prioritize intelligent ecological synergy. Multi-scale modeling and multi-physics simulations will enable systematic performance prediction, while sensor-AI integrated floors will revolutionize motion monitoring and safety protection. Scaling bio-based/nanomaterial alternatives and advancing modular customization will be key to achieving low-carbon, multi-scenario adaptation, driving the industry toward high-performance, intelligent, and sustainable advancement.

Author Contributions

Conceptualization, F.J., X.F. and X.L.; methodology, F.J.; validation, X.L. and X.F.; formal analysis, F.J.; investigation, F.J.; resources, X.L.; data curation, F.J.; writing—original draft preparation, F.J.; writing—review and editing, X.F. and X.L.; visualization, X.F.; supervision, X.F. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.

Funding

This research was funded by National Key Research and Development Program of China, grant number 2023YFD2201500.

Institutional Review Board Statement

Not applicable.

Informed Consent Statement

Not applicable.

Data Availability Statement

Data are contained within the article.

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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Coatings 15 01014 g001
Figure 1. The structural scheme of sports flooring made of synthetic material (a) and solid wood panel (b).
Figure 1. The structural scheme of sports flooring made of synthetic material (a) and solid wood panel (b).
Coatings 15 01014 g001
Table 1. Comparative analysis of sports flooring made of different materials.
Table 1. Comparative analysis of sports flooring made of different materials.
Flooring TypeMaterialsStructureCharacteristicsApplicationsAdvantagesLimitationsReferences
Solid Wood FlooringHardwoods (e.g., maple, beech)Surface layer (hardwood) + Substrate + Cushion layerExcellent elasticity, superior rebound, high shock absorptionIndoor courts (basketball, volleyball)High comfort, outstanding athletic performanceSusceptible to humidity/temperature, high maintenance requirements[6,33,34]
Synthetic FlooringPolymers (PVC, PU, silicone PU)Multilayer composite (wear layer + cushion layer, etc.)Abrasion-resistant, anti-slip, waterproof, easy to cleanIndoor/outdoor multipurpose venuesStable performance, easy installation/maintenance, color varietySlightly inferior elasticity to wood, environmental constraints of raw materials[30,35,36]
Rubber FlooringNatural/synthetic rubberMonolithic or multilayer constructionSuperior elasticity and shock absorption, anti-slip, wear-resistant, antimicrobialGyms, rehabilitation centers, training facilitiesHigh comfort/safety, sound/impact dampingDemanding installation, potential VOC emissions (some products)[37,38]
Composite FlooringHybrid (wood + PU/rubber/PVC composites)Multilayer composite (typically ≥3 layers)Combines material advantages, structural stability, high adaptabilityMultipurpose sports halls, customized venuesBalanced performance, broad adaptability, comfort-durability synergyHigher cost, complex structure, demanding production technology[9,39,40]
Table 2. Comparative analysis of sports flooring across different athletic disciplines.
Table 2. Comparative analysis of sports flooring across different athletic disciplines.
Venue/EventFlooring TypeSupplier/BrandTechnical Characteristics
2024 Paris Olympics Basketball VenueWood Flooring + Surface Elastic MaterialsConnor SportsFIBA-certified; Composite Suspension System
Tokyo Budokan (Japan)Bamboo Composite FlooringMondoEco-friendly Bamboo Material; Optimized Shock Absorption
NBA Home Courts (e.g., Lakers)Demountable Wood FlooringRobbinsRapid-install Modular Structure; DIN 18032-2 Compliance
China National Olympic Sports Center Basketball VenueMultilayer PVC Flooring SystemLi-Ning Sports FlooringEN 14904 Certification; Integrated Smart Motion Monitoring
Table 3. Comparison of Impact absorption and rebound performance of different types of sports flooring.
Table 3. Comparison of Impact absorption and rebound performance of different types of sports flooring.
Flooring TypeEnergy Absorption (%)Rebound Height (%)Absorption RatingReference
Solid Wood Flooring20–3095–98★★★☆☆[56,57]
PVC Roll Flooring30–4585–90★★★★☆[58,59]
PU System50–6588–95★★★★★[60,61,62]
Nano-PU Composite60–7090–96★★★★★+[61,63,64]
Table 4. Comparative Analysis of Sports Flooring Testing Standards.
Table 4. Comparative Analysis of Sports Flooring Testing Standards.
CategoryStandard CodePerformance MetricsApplication Scope
EuropeanEN 14904-3 [26]Vertical deformation, shock absorption, ball rebound, sliding friction, rolling load (7 key indicators)Indoor sports flooring (including PVC sports floors)
GermanDIN V 18032-2 [27]Shock absorption (≥53%), vertical deformation (2.3–5.0 mm), ball reboundProfessional-grade standards for high-intensity sports (e.g., basketball)
AmericanASTM F2772-24 [28]Impact cushioning, slip resistance, thickness recovery, durability (4-tier classification)Synthetic resilient flooring (e.g., PVC, PU)
InternationalISO 16000-9 [75]VOC/formaldehyde emissions, biocompatibility testingEnvironmental and human safety; green building and low-carbon material certification
ChineseGB/T 22517.1-2024 [29]Technical requirements for wooden sports floors: mechanical properties, friction coefficient testing protocolsIndoor multi-sport venues (basketball/volleyball/badminton competition/training), stages, ballrooms
GB/T 20239—2023 [91]Structure, safety, and performance testing for sports wood flooringSports venues, school gymnasiums
GB 36246-2018 [90]Physical-mechanical properties (shock absorption, vertical deformation, slip resistance, aging resistance),
eco-safety performance, material composition		Cast-in-place/prefabricated synthetic surfaces for primary/secondary schools (e.g., plastic tracks, courts), artificial turf (athletics, ball games)
JC/T 2337-2015 [92]Resilience, abrasion resistance, slip resistance, flame retardancyIndoor/outdoor sports venues, gyms, dance studios
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Ji, F.; Liu, X.; Feng, X. Research Status and Development Trends of Sports Flooring. Coatings 2025, 15, 1014. https://doi.org/10.3390/coatings15091014

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Ji F, Liu X, Feng X. Research Status and Development Trends of Sports Flooring. Coatings. 2025; 15(9):1014. https://doi.org/10.3390/coatings15091014

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Ji, Feng, Xinyou Liu, and Xinhao Feng. 2025. "Research Status and Development Trends of Sports Flooring" Coatings 15, no. 9: 1014. https://doi.org/10.3390/coatings15091014

APA Style

Ji, F., Liu, X., & Feng, X. (2025). Research Status and Development Trends of Sports Flooring. Coatings, 15(9), 1014. https://doi.org/10.3390/coatings15091014

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