We have a World Champion within our shores. Singapore is so fortunate to have talented, skillful, dedicated and hardworking player in Mr. Loh Kean Yew.
Massive Congratulations to him, his family for their dedication, the team, the sports scientists and the multitude of supporting people who made this victory possible.Take a bow, this fair weathered fan (me) is so proud to be a Singaporean who, honestly didn't think he would get farther than the 3rd round. The Sports 2030 envisioned by Minister Chan then Sports Minister was rocketed into the minds of people in 2012.In 2014 the new National Stadium, as well as the Sports Institute got off the ground.
In a small way QRA International has also helped (I believe) in KY's success.
QRA International in 2015 and 2016 sold an athletic chamber to Singapore Sports Institute and while we were commisisoning the system, we understood that the chamber is supposed to enhance performance of elite athletes by producing oxygen poor conditions, (up to 5000 m or approximately 11.5 % O2 from sea level
which has 20.9% oxygen).
The science is such. At O2 of 20.9% or sea level, say a top athlete can run at 3mins 30s seconds per km on the treadmill for say 1 hour. He inhales copious amounts of air of 20.9% oxygen. If that atmospheric air is now reduced to 18.5%, surely his performance will be degraded as oxygen is the fuel the body uses to create energy in aerobic exercises of which running is one such aerobic sport or exercise.
To suddenly induce the air to be 18.5% in O2, the body of the elite athlete must be trained to be as much as 30% more efficient in take up of oxygen, provided the same VO2 max in oxygen is needed to produce the same result = speed in performance.
This drastic cut in oxygen forces the blood platelets to be much more efficient for top fit people such as athletes and transport the depleted air (say 2000 m which has about 18.6% O2) which they are inhaling to various parts of the body at double quick time. The VO2 Max is also improved tremendously as the oxygen take up rate by the elite athlete is
As a result the efficiency of dispersion of the O2 for these athletes in the rarified atmosphere inside the chamber can supercharge the person when he returns to play or exercise at normal atmospheric levels (20.9%).
This is the effect the chamber has on elite individuals. If they can train in oxygen reduced environments, then when they actually compete in normal atmosphere and O2 20.9%, suddenly their performance jumps exponentially.
Sports Institute Singapore has used the chamber successfully since 2016, and its 5 years since those backbreaking and stressful days of commissioning the chamber.
I am glad - and hopeful - that the chamber was put to good use - and has had a small part to play in his superlative performance in Heuleva yesterday evening.
All Hail the new Champion Loh Kian Yew !
Carpe Diem !
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