Review and outlook of qigong in china's aerospace medicine


Author: Wang Zhixiang//Guo Hongzhang

Affiliation: 22, Fucheng Rd. t Beijing 100036
Conference/Journal: 4th World Conf Acad Exch Med Qigong
Date published: 1998
Other:
  Pages: 184   ,  Word Count: 313  
    As early as 1960, the Air Force Institute of Aviation Medicine (AFTAM) began to make research on inner Qigong, index of suggestion involving language and entering into meditation. The results showed that after a four weeks training course 80% of the trained pilots could enter  meditation.  The increased level in bioelectric resistance of skin in meditation was nearly the same as that in sleep. 

In 1961, AFTAM adopted Qigong to cure digestive diseases, hypertension and neurasthenia of combat flight crew and achieved a good result. It was found that Qigong could improve altitude anoxia tolerance and strengthen stability of autonomic nervous system. 

In 1964, a model of regulating the respiration and mind was introduced to train flight crew's pressure breathing. 

During 1970s, thousands of aircrew took part in Qigong training. All these were reported to have a positive effect on improving acceleration tolerance, preventing aerotitis and curing chronic diseases.

From 1980s, the Institute of Space Medio-Engineering (ISME) conducted systematic researches on the state of Qigong function including physiologic character when people entering meditation, acupoint temperature in the Qigong state. They also developed a device that could measure human parameter in the state. 

In 1990s, ISME found through stimulated test that Qigong practicing increased the tolerance to weightlessness in young men. AFIAM designed and developed, based on the Qigong theory, the Qigong maneuver, which has been proved an effective anti maneuver. Moreover, the institute applied Qigong to the training of biofeedback so as to prevent and cure airsickness.
    
The rapid advances in China's aerospace will broaden the Qigong
practical field in the future decades. At least five challenge
opportunities exist for Qigong into aerospace medicine:

To regulate circadian rhythm changes and reduce the risk of fatigue in aircrew and astronauts Improve sleep in space 
Increase the tolerance to weightlessness  Protect and cure chronic diseases in aircrew/astronauts To improve the ability of aircrew/astronauts in training and performance.