Authors: Ramona-Niculina Jurcău1, Ioana-Marieta Jurcău2, Radu-Adrian Rozsnyai3, Nicolae Colceriu4
Affiliation:
1Department of Pathophysiology, Medicine Faculty, “Iuliu Hațieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
2Emergency Clinical Hospital for Children, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
3”Mihai Viteazul” Gymnasium School, Câmpia-Turzii, PhD Student, Babeș-Bolyai University, Cluj- Napoca, Romania
4Faculty of Horticulture, University of Veterinary Medicine and Agricultural Sciences, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Abstract
Qigong (QG) is a form of mind-body exercise that can be done anywhere and at any time without any special equipment. In accordance with the traditional Chinese medicine philosophy, QG achieves a harmonious flow of vital energy (Qi) and regulates the body’s functional activities through breathing, conscious concentration, and gentle movements.
QG can be classified into two categories: dynamic QG (dong gong) and static QG (jing gong). There are two types of QG: a) internal QG or QG exercise, which is a self-directed form; and b) external QG, which is usually routed by experienced masters. In studies on the use of QG in stress, the following groups participated: adults with difficulties, middle-aged adults, students, hospital staff, people who regularly practice QG and healthy volunteers.
Compared with sedentarism, physical activity or intervention exercises, QG can significantly improve the quality of life. QG has effects on anxiety, vigilance, depression, fatigue, psychological stress; it also reduces work-related stress. QG exercises reduce the hyperactivity of the HPA axis and the release of the glucocorticoids circulating in the body from the adrenal cortex, so QG reduces blood concentrations of noradrenaline, adrenaline and cortisol.
Therefore, QG also causes stress reduction through the nervous, endocrine and immune systems. Specialized studies, although still limited in number, support the utility of QG in stressful situations.
Key words: Qigong, stress, stress mechanisms
13%20-%20jurcau%20rn%20-%202%20%20%20%20%2039-41A brief analysis of the relationship between QiGong and stress
