Aim. The aim of the present study was to quantify the vibratory response and the mechanical shock in the Achilles tendon on two different types of surfaces as III generation artificial pitches and natural grass during three different test conditions: alternate jump, sprint and skipping. Methods. The study enrolled 12 male professional Italian first division football players. Ground contact and flight times during three different exercises (alternate jumping, sprint and skipping) were recorded using three-dimensional miniature accelerometers secured at the L3 lumbar level were calculated). With these data were then calculated the stiffness and the vibration frequency of Achilles tendon unit. Results. The vibration frequency recorded at the Achilles tendon unit was between a range between 18 and 39 Hz. There was no statistical difference between the shock vibration recorded on III generation artificial pitches and on natural grass. Conclusion. There were no difference`s concerning the vibratory response at Achilles tendon unit level between III generation artificial pitches and natural grass. The vibratory shock recorded on these two different surfaces during alternate jumps, sprint and skipping may be detrimental for the Achilles tendon unit.
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