Yoga-related injury (all ages)

July 2008

There was a total of 36 cases of yoga-related injury presentations to Victorian Emergency Departments (ED) among children and adults aged 10 years and older identified on the Victorian Emergency Minimum Dataset (VEMD) over the 5-year period January 2002 to December 2006.

Frequency: Table 1 shows the annual frequency of yoga-related injury emergency department (ED) presentations by year. The highest frequency of cases occurred in 2002.

Table 1: Yoga-related injury ED presentations by year

Source: VEMD Jan '02 - Dec '06

Age: Forty-two percent of the yoga-related injuries occurred among 30-39 year olds, while 19% were 20-29 year olds and 17% were 40-49 year olds (Figure 1). No cases were recorded among children aged less than 10.

Source: VEMD, Jan '02 to Dec '06
Figure 1: Yoga - related injury ED presentations by age groups (n=36)

Gender: Females were over-represented in ED presentations (64%).

Nature of injury: Sprains/strains were the most common injury, occurring in 47% of ED presentations. Fractures and dislocations were the second most common injury, each accounting for 14% of injuries (Figure 2).

Body region: The most frequently injured body region was the lower extremity (39%), particularly the leg which accounted for 22% of all cases, followed by the upper extremity (25%), and the head (22%) (Figure 3).

Source: VEMD, Jan '02 - Dec '06 Figure 2: Yoga-related injury ED presentations by type of injury (n=36)

Source: VEMD, Jan '02 - Dec '06 Figure 3: Yoga-related injury ED presentations by body region injured (n=36)

Location: Twenty-eight percent of injuries occurred at a place of recreation, 22% at an athletics/sport area and a further 22% in the home. In 28% of cases the location of injury was unspecified.

Discharge status: Overall, 92% of person with yoga injuries were discharged home. Another 8% of the injuries were serious enough to require hospitalisation.

Prevention: To ensure safety and reduce the risk of injury, yoga poses should be practiced in a class with a qualified instructor. Individual should learn to do each pose well, before attempting to practice on their own.

Further Information:
Further information regarding yoga injuries and prevention is available from the following websites:
Better Health Channel: www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au
International Association of Yoga Therapist: www.iayt.org/

Data source: Victorian Emergency Minimum Dataset (VEMD): January 2002 to December 2006 (5 years).
Search Strategy: Cases were selected by conducting a text search in the VEMD for the term 'yoga' in the 250 character 'description of injury events'.