Author: Xu Lihuo//Yu Hepeig//Yan Xiaoxis
Affiliation: Institute of Space Medico-Engineering, Beijing, China [1]
Conference/Journal: 1st World Conf Acad Exch Med Qigong
Date published: 1988
Other:
Pages: 10 , Word Count: 411
According to the principle of integration and dynamics, the dynamical changes of multi physiological indicators during the qigong exercise were observed repeatedly. The chief physiological characteristics during the qigong state were studied to provide the scientific basis for making a thorough study of the nature of the qigong state and further controlling the human body to reach the optimal functional state.
Five male qigong masters (ages 53-66 years) were subjects. They have practiced qigong exercised for 3-10 years. One to three control tests and 3-5 qigong tests were completed for each. Altogether, were twenty nine tests including 21 qigong tests and 8 control tests. Every qigong test was divided into 3 steps, pre- (sitting quietly with eyes closed for 10 min.), in (thought concentrated on lower Dantian for 40 min.) and post- (as pre- for 10 min.) qigong exercise. The control tests were similar to qigong tests. The subject sat quietly with eyes closed for 60 min., but no thought concentration. The control tests and the qigong tests in the same subject were made at the same time on different days.
The changes of the left frontal and left occipital unipolar EEG, breathing rate, heart rate, stroke volume of heart, expiratory volume and skin temperature of Dantian, Laogong (P 8), Wangu (TE 5) and Taixi (K 3) were simultaneously and continuously recorded. Blood pressure was measured every 5 min. during the qigong state and every 3 min. pre- and post-qigong
Power spectral analysis of EEG was made every 2 min. It was found that during the qigong state the peak of alpha wave was higher and shifted to the left, percentages of alpha wave power was increased, 20.50±12.4 in the frontal area and 9.98±10.0 in the occipital area. The significant difference between the qigong exercise and corresponding time in control
tests (frontal P<O.005 and occipital P<0.05); delta wave power was decreased; and theta wave power was increased, the peak frequency of theta wave rhythm shifted to the right significantly (P<O.001).
During the qigong exercise, the expiratory volume and breathing rate were decreased 0.884±0.720 L/min. and 2.64±3.58 times/min., respectively. They were significant with the corresponding time in control tests (P<O.05).
The changes of point skin temperature and other physiological indicators were slight during the qigong exercise. The changes of physiological indicators during several qigong exercises were more correspondent in each of 5 subjects. The repeatability in different tests of the same subject was good. Individual differences among 5 subjects might have resulted from their different process of self-regulation and different qigong abilities.