Influence of Level of Skill on Physiological Reaction in Shaolin Internal Qigong

In this study, the influence of the level of skill for practicing Shaolin Internal Qigong and difference of the influences between skilled subject and unskilled subjects were investigated. Five men volunteered to participate in this study. The subjects included a 57-year skilled Qigong doctor who has practiced Shaolin Internal Qigong almost every day for more than 40 years and four healthy male college students whose training year was less than one year for Shaolin Internal Qigong. Experimental physiological indices included heart rate (HR), oxygen uptake (VO2), respiratory rate (RR), respiratory phase (thermistor), oxygen saturation (StO2), total HBO, peripheral skin blood flow and lower limb EMG. The peripheral skin blood flow of the skilled subject was decreased from 10% to 25% in both exercises in comparison with the sitting position in rest. The remarkable change of oxygen saturation in the brain in unskilled subjects was not recognized. The different phenomena of respiratory rate and respiratory phase were showed between the skilled and unskilled subjects to let us know the difference existed on breathing way. From the difference of participated muscles during exercises in between skilled and unskilled subjects, we suggest that it has the necessity of proficiency to keep the posture of Shaolin Internal Qigong. In addition, we conclude that respiratory patterns and discharge of musculus rectus femoris on electromyogram seem to be the proper physiological indices that reflect the level of skill in Shaolin Internal Qigong.