Are screening by yoga instructors and their practice patterns important to prevent injuries in yoga clients?. (August 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lein, Donald H.; Singh, Harshvardhan; Kim, SoJung
• Is Part Of: Complementary therapies in clinical practice. Volume 40(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-08
• Subjects: Yoga -- Screening -- Injury -- Sun salutation -- Poses -- Adherence -- Training; Integrative medicine -- Periodicals; Integrative medicine -- Research -- Periodicals; Alternative medicine -- Periodicals; 615.5
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ctcp.2020.101196
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1744-3881

Abstract

Abstract: Background and purpose: Little information exists regarding the association of yoga-related injuries with yoga instructor (YI) practice patterns. Therefore, this cross-sectional survey examined the screening and practice characteristics of YI and its relationship with yoga-related injuries. Methods and materials: YI from Northeastern US completed a customized web-based 57-item questionnaire. Results: The response rate of our questionnaire was 46%. In this study, only 8.8% of the YI reported physical performance screening and 33.7% of the participants did medical screenings with their clients. A binomial logistic regression analysis with the above variables revealed that adherence to training by YI ( p = 0.031) and the use of Sun Salutations (p = 0.002) predicted lower yoga-related injuries in clients reported by YI. Conclusions: Reduction in client yoga-related injuries was predicted by YI adhering to their training and performing Sun Salutations in their classes. Highlights: Yoga instructors (YI) adhering to their training predicted a reduction in risk of yoga-related injuries in their clients reported by YI. The performance of Sun Salutation for warm-up or between poses by yoga instructors predicted less yoga-related client injuries reported by YI. Sprains and strains were the most common type of yoga-related client injuries reported by YI. Most yoga instructors do not perform medical or physical performance screenings on their clients. Researchers need to determine if medical provider screenings of patients/clients decrease yoga-related injuries.