Filippo Ongaro

Filippo Ongaro is a physician and an expert in sports sciences, 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.

In 1999 Ongaro joined the European Space Agency, where he became responsible for performance enhancement programs for astronauts. 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.

In 2002 Ongaro supported the World Health Organization 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.

Ongaro is a member of the Scientific Committee for Antarctic Research, of the Italian Aerospace Medicine Association and of the Institute for Functional Medicine.