Filippo Ongaro
Encyclopedia
Filippo Ongaro is a physician
and an expert in sports science
s, performance medicine
and functional medicine
. Ongaro started his career in Italy
at the Center for Biomedical Studies Applied to Sports directed by Francesco Conconi
, one of the most popular scientists and gurus in the field of performance enhancement. Here Ongaro worked with elite athletes from different disciplines.
, where he became responsible for performance enhancement programs for astronaut
s. During this period Ongaro, in cooperation with NASA
, introduced new methodologies in the countermeasure program for astronauts such as the use of whole body vibrations for post-flight rehabilitation, the use of special muscle strength and power detectors (both projects with the involvement of Italian physiologist Carmelo Bosco)and the use of natural food supplements to integrate the diet of space travellers.
From 2001 to 2002 Ongaro worked at the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Centre in Russia as a crew doctor, supporting in particular the flight to the International Space Station
(ISS) of Italian astronaut Roberto Vittori
. During this period, Ongaro cooperated with Russian scientists on the development and application of new means for psycho-physical performance improvement in astronauts and elite soldiers.
Health Day 'Move for Health' using spaceflight as a theme to promote physical exercise as a preventive tool among younger generations. After having supported several other space related activities, in 2004 Ongaro founded Performance Stewards GmbH, a company specializing in the optimization of health and performance at the individual and group level. Ongaro continues as a consultant to the European Space Agency and works with athletes, elite military groups and patients in several locations throughout Europe.
Physician
A physician is a health care provider who practices the profession of medicine, which is concerned with promoting, maintaining or restoring human health through the study, diagnosis, and treatment of disease, injury and other physical and mental impairments...
and an expert in sports science
Sports science
Sport science is a discipline that studies the application of scientific principles and techniques with the aim of improving sporting performance...
s, performance medicine
Performance Medicine
Performance Medicine is a sub-speciality of clinical and diagnostic medicine that aims to maximise human performance in terms of endurance, physical fitness, metabolic efficiency and the ability to resist, postpone or prevent disease...
and functional medicine
Functional medicine
Functional medicine is a form of Western alternative medicine unrelated to the Western biomedical approaches.It focuses on treating individuals who may have bodily symptoms, imbalances and dysfunctions...
. Ongaro started his career in Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
at the Center for Biomedical Studies Applied to Sports directed by Francesco Conconi
Francesco Conconi
Francesco Conconi is an Italian sports doctor and scientist, with disciples such as Michele Ferrari and Luigi Cecchini. Conconi is a Professor at the University of Ferrara in Italy where he heads the Centro Studi Biomedici Applicati allo Sport or Biomedical Research Institute...
, one of the most popular scientists and gurus in the field of performance enhancement. Here Ongaro worked with elite athletes from different disciplines.
Career
In 1999 Ongaro joined the European Space AgencyEuropean Space Agency
The European Space Agency , established in 1975, is an intergovernmental organisation dedicated to the exploration of space, currently with 18 member states...
, where he became responsible for performance enhancement programs for astronaut
Astronaut
An astronaut or cosmonaut is a person trained by a human spaceflight program to command, pilot, or serve as a crew member of a spacecraft....
s. During this period Ongaro, in cooperation with NASA
NASA
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration is the agency of the United States government that is responsible for the nation's civilian space program and for aeronautics and aerospace research...
, introduced new methodologies in the countermeasure program for astronauts such as the use of whole body vibrations for post-flight rehabilitation, the use of special muscle strength and power detectors (both projects with the involvement of Italian physiologist Carmelo Bosco)and the use of natural food supplements to integrate the diet of space travellers.
From 2001 to 2002 Ongaro worked at the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Centre in Russia as a crew doctor, supporting in particular the flight to the International Space Station
International Space Station
The International Space Station is a habitable, artificial satellite in low Earth orbit. The ISS follows the Salyut, Almaz, Cosmos, Skylab, and Mir space stations, as the 11th space station launched, not including the Genesis I and II prototypes...
(ISS) of Italian astronaut Roberto Vittori
Roberto Vittori
Roberto Vittori is an Italian air force officer and an ESA astronaut. After graduating from the Italian Air Force Academy in 1989, Vittori flew in the Italian Air Force. He then trained as a test pilot in the United States....
. During this period, Ongaro cooperated with Russian scientists on the development and application of new means for psycho-physical performance improvement in astronauts and elite soldiers.
Philanthropy
In 2002 Ongaro supported the World Health OrganizationWorld Health Organization
The World Health Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations that acts as a coordinating authority on international public health. Established on 7 April 1948, with headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, the agency inherited the mandate and resources of its predecessor, the Health...
Health Day 'Move for Health' using spaceflight as a theme to promote physical exercise as a preventive tool among younger generations. After having supported several other space related activities, in 2004 Ongaro founded Performance Stewards GmbH, a company specializing in the optimization of health and performance at the individual and group level. Ongaro continues as a consultant to the European Space Agency and works with athletes, elite military groups and patients in several locations throughout Europe.