Athletic Chamber - Proven Benefits of Live High Train Low and High as evidenced by our Elite Sprint Stars Results in Recent Times

    

Internal View of Athletic Chamber at Sports SG supplied and installed by QRA INTERNATIONAL 

Recently, our national sprinter Ms. Shanti Pereira has made the front pages of the news by coming in 2nd in the women's 100 m sprint and attaining the gold medal in the 200 m sprint recently concluded Asian Games (2023 edition) in Hangzhou China.

Kudos to her and her team of coaches, sports scientists, nutritionists and officials for reaching the pinnacle of her sport and has made her the current darling of Singapore sportsmen and women. The team behind her success is instrumental in ensuring that her performance is approaching world standard. There is also a whole depth of scientific work and sports preparation  for many months and even years to get her performance to world class level and as a result slash her 100 m and 200 m times by so much. All legal and employing the highest levels of science and technology, coaching techniques etc - it is worth it.In my humble opinion.    

Two particular pieces of equipment which I wish to highlight ; the Singapore Sports Institute offers hypoxic sleep rooms with O2 levels of 3000 m or 18.6% O2 per cubic metre of air. Normal sea levels have 20.9 or 20.8% of O2 per cubic metre of air. They also have an athletic chamber of approximately 70m3 size (which my company supplied in 2016) whereby the athletes can train from the various temperature and humidity ranges :

The Technology - Athletic Chamber provided by QRA International 

Temp : 0 to 50 C

Hum  : 20 - 95 % rH

O2    : Sea Level or 0 m (20.9% O2) to 5000 m (16.5%) 

CO2  : Less than 2000 ppm after 1 hour of intense activity by 4 athletes inside the chamber.

 

Fun Fact

People who are trapped in sealed enclosed spaces for long durations (freezer cold rooms for example)  die or faint from CO2 poisoning rather than from a lack of oxygen. The build up of CO2 caused by our breathing will rise to 8000 ppm and that is where faint headedness, dizziness, nausea sets in. If the environment is not rectified in time, by either 

1.  Releasing or scrubbing the CO2 away (by filters) 

2. Opening up the room and allowing the mixing of fresh air with O2 in and CO2 out

then the worse will happen ; disorientation, fainting and possibly death.

The Theory - General

Scientific studies have shown that elite athletes with well conditioned bodies (I highlight the words) can benefit from high altitude training. In the old days, many athletes went up to the mountains where the air was 'thin' and O2 levels were far lower than at sea level.

Live High (LH) 

This is where people who live high up the mountains, and endure low O2 levels for long stretches of time, for example, the Sherpas in the Himalayas. They have exceptionally well conditioned bodies. The reason ? Their haemaglobin levels in their blood are up to 50% more than ordinary people living at sea level height.

Train Low (TL) and Train High (TH)  

Training Low means to train at sea level.Training High is to train at altitude.

The Theory - Specific 

Our bodies have both aorta and veins, and smaller tubes called capillaries.In each cm3 of blood vessel tube, for example have (say) 10 haemoglobin molecules or small buckets whose sole function is to carry Oxygen molecules from the main O2 supplier (lungs) to the various parts of the body.

With the proper use of oxygen, the body breaks it down and burns in for produce energy for all manner of daily bodily movement from breathing, walking, running, everything.

So at sea level, if for 1 cm3 of blood there are 10 buckets of haemoglobin to carry 10 air molecules worth 1 oxygen content in size, so the effect is 100 HO of energy potential - for example. (not scientific). So if he runs at sea level, at a certain speed which he is used to, he can use up to 100 HO of energy potential, and this is limited by the number of haemoglobin buckets in his per cm3 of blood.

In high level (3000 m - which is base camp Everest), the number of O2 molecules is far less say 10 molecules air but with 7 oxygen content per fixed volume of air. Then the person's energy capacity would be reduced to 10 x 7 or 70 HO. Thus, he would feel lethargic and not be able to run at the same speed.

Hence, your body's performance is limited by the O2 concentration in the air leading to anything from disorientation, altitude sickness, light headedness and slower work rate.  

To enhance his performance, the person would have to CONDITION his body by living in low O2 conditions for up to 2 weeks, so that :

1. The amount of haemoglobin grows in the blood vessels (it is amazing but true and backed by scientific research). It typically grows by 30 to 50% . So for 1 cm3 of blood, there can be up to 15 haemoglobin buckets in 1 cm3 of blood vessel - after conditioning in hypoxic rooms (rooms with low levels of Oxygen) for up to 2 weeks.

2. After 2 weeks, the athletes have (say) 15 buckets of haemoglobin and 15 molecules of air with 0.7 oxygen content, then the energy capacity is 15 x 0.7 or 105 HO. Over time and LH and TH, he can run at approximately the same speed but with less oxygen in the air.!

Magic ? No, the body is a tremendous adaptable machine !   

LHTLH or LHTL ? 

Science has shown that athletes with the program of Living High LH (3000) and Training Low TL (sea lavel) have the best results.

This means, that after 2 weeks of altitude training - either by living in the mountain at 3000 m height, and then going to train on the track in the sea level (0 metre), what happens ?

What happens ?

The height conditioned body  now has 15 haemoglobin buckets and at sea level (0 meters), there are 15 molecules with 1 oxygen content.

The persons energy capacity increases to 150 HO  or 15 x 10 HO ! 

He (in theory) can run by up to 50% faster than his original speed ! 

The effect is temporary as the haemoglobin level reverts back to 10 if the athlete stays at sea level - but the effect can last up till 2 weeks after return to sea level.

TL or TH ? 

Science has also shown that there are tangible benefits to train at both low and high levels of Oxygen. 

So here it is, the technology explained in layman terms 

Hence with the right team, technology, discipline and dedication, success for all our national athletes is a reality ! 

                                    The Completed Chamber Front View

    First in Asia with technology and leading the Way for our Future Top Athletes ! 

Interested ? Gym Owners, Recreational, serious and elite athletes please contact :

QRA INTERNATIONAL PTE LTD.

Subject : 1.  Athletic Chamber 

                2. Walk - In Chamber for Humans

               3.  Gym Pod 

Email :    1. qrasales@qra.com.sg

                2. mark@qra.com.sg

Price Range : from S$ 100, 000  (US$ 75, 000)  upwards

QRA's Athletic Chambers selling well internationally - University of Canberra - 2018

 

                            UCRISE HEAT CHAMBER - ALSO CALLED ATHLETIC CHAMBER

A very proud moment for us ; our team of skilled and experienced engineers sold, installed and commissioned a chamber room with Hypoxic Function (up to 4000 m)  and with other climate parameters such as temperature and humidity control to the University of Canberra in Bruce, Canberra. 

The project was completed in 2018 and we have been serving the customer with full service contracts till end 2026

Temperature : 15 - 50 C

Relative Humidity : 20 - 95%

O2 Control (provided by other vendor) : 0 - 4000 m.

Purpose of these equipment : for Heat Studies and Performance Enhancement of Elite Athletes 

If you have any enquiries or need more information ; please address your enquiries to 

Email : mark@qra.com.sg

            qrasales@qra.com.sg

Website : www.qra.com.sg

and let our friendly specialists guide you to better understand what you need for your athletes, or research.

Make Better Great 

Seta Milan Mandarin Oriental 2 Michelin Star Dinner Post 2 of 2

 

                                                         Happy Belated Birthday Dinner 

Seta is a 10 year old 2 Michelin starred restaurant situated on the ground floor of Marina Mandarin Milan. Address is Via Andegari, 9 20121 Milan Italy. This is our second time we have dined here the first being about 6 years ago in 2017. 

My wife and I celebrated my belated birthday several days prior by having a wonderful meal with some of the dishes highlighted in this and the earlier post. Helmed by Antonio Guida, this restaurant seats only 30 diners, so it is imperative to make your dinner bookings way in advance. In our case, it was 2 months before we arrived in Italy,  

The dress code is obviously smart casual and in my humble opinion, there seemed to be more serving staff than there were diners. Perhaps it was my imagination, but the service was par excellante. 

* Risotta with Tartufo Truffle Mushroom  Flakes *

The highlight of our meal, was her special off menu dish above which we can ask the chef to whip up, Omakase style. This is the famed Truffle or Tartufo Risotta. The Maitre D' actually brought a huge truffle mushroom - I had never seen on before in my life ! and casually sliced off pieces onto the Risotta.

The most expensive mushroom in the world and put onto an ordinary porridge style dish.

The aroma of the Tartufo is AMAZING and unique that I could smell the whiff from 4 tables away at the end of the restaurant when it was served to another guest. 

                       Roasted Blue Lobster with Loozzolo zabaglione leek and Matcha Tea

I had Roasted Blue Lobster above as a starter and the flavours were really exquisite. Even though I am penning this post nearly 4 months on, the memory of this dish still stands out. The freshness, the texture and flavour of the lobster and the nuanced colours of it made this a really standout dish.

It being a rather drizzly night in Milan, the meal was a real treat and must do whenever we travel to this beautiful and classy city.

                                                            Array of Sweets x 1  

The assortment of sweets at the end of the meal was just overwhelming. We each had close to 10 small bites of chocolate, mousse, gels, and all things nice to end the evening. The sous chef must be complimented fully. 

                                                          Array of Sweets x 2

Seta Milan (part of Mandarin Oriental Milan) 

Via Monte di Pieta. 18

20121 Milano, MI

Italy.

Ratings 

Service     : 4.9  / 5  (pacing, friendliness of servers,attention) 

Food         : 4.9 / 5

Ambience : 4.7 / 5

Price        : $$$$   (be prepared to fork out EUR 250 per person)

 

Seta Mandarin Oriental Milan 2 Star Michelin Dinner 1st Dec 2023 Post 1 of 2

Seta Restaurant in Milan Marina Mandarin 

Via Monte di Pieta 18

20121 Milan Itlay

Head Chef :  Antonio Guida 

Awards : 2 Michelin Stars 

Dining : Fine Dining

Suckling Pig with Chickpea cream, savoy cabbage and scallop 

We had arrived in Milan from Singapore on the 1st of December morning, and judging that we would have been jet lagged and requiring an early night I managed to change the date for the dinner to the 2nd of December - much to my wife's delight.

In the post above, I had put the piece de la resistance the Tartufo pasta which was heavenly.

The other dish which was exceptional was the grilled blue lobster with leek and matcha tea. Testament to the fusion creativity of the chef Antonio.

The above dish was also done 9 out of 10 ;  Suckling pig wrapped with savoy cabbage, and scallop slices beneath and topped with small garlic (?). 

 

Al dente pasta Fusillero with turnips and mackerel 

This pasta above is one which my wife likes, al dente which has a certain 'bite' or chewiness to it. Altogether superb dish and a feast for the senses. I recall eating all my dishes with interest and soaking up the superb ambience inside the restaurant on that rather drab and drizzly evening. 

                                                               Crown of Cockerel 

This dish I can never appreciate. It is the crown combs of the cockerel and I believe there is loads of collagen in this soup !

 

Peschiera del Garda ; lovely town once occupied first by the Romans then Austrians in the 17th century

Restaurant : Raffilu at C House 

Peschiera del Garda town

Piazza Ferdinando di Savoia 5

37019 Pescheira del Garda

VR Italy 

                 Fabulous Dinner only the 2 of us at the waterside ; Surreal feeling 

5 * dining 

One of the serendipitous experiences of our Italian trip in Dec 2023 was visiting the small town of Peschiera del Garda which literally means Peschiera by Garda lake. It is a pretty 10,000 inhabitant Garda lakeside town which can be accessible off the main train lines between Como and Verona, about 1.5 hours from Venice.

15 minutes by train due West from Verona and about 1 hour due East from lake Como

It is along the same latitude as Lake Como and since it is not so well known, the prices of everything ranging from food, tour guide services and accomodation are easily 30% or more cheaper than what one would pay for a major tourist destination such as Milan or Venice.

We stayed at the service apartments called C Rooms Lake House along the pier.The scenery is picture postcard perfect. Antonella, our tour guide gave us a good overview over 2.5 hours walking tour of the town and the history goes a bit like this :

Peschiera is a small town which was originally run by prominent Italian family - like most towns and cities. Romans then occupied it followed by the Venetiens in the late 16th -17th century. There was a period when the Austrians ruled the town and created a moat around it to protect it from invaders.The French led by the indominatble Napoleon Bonaparte conquered it around mid 1840s. 

The French were overthrown when the Italian Repulblic was formed in 1861.  

We walked through the barracks, as well as the armoury and the small museum, and ended up at the tourist information in the centre of the town. There are cruise ships plying Lake Garda most times from late Spring till Autumn each year and they are moored at the big port at the top end of the town. 

    

By the waterside at night 

                                        View of the small pier from our room 

Raffilu at C House 

The dinner we had (see video at top) was splendid. For a fraction of the price we paid for the 2 star dinner (about EUR 550) at  Seta Milan, we had for EUR 90 the time of our lives.The dishes we had till our hearts content :

- Seafood platter for sharing (pastrami done with some fish)

- Al dente Bigoli (larger form of spaghetti) 

- Octopus and cream. 

- a glass of Sauvignon Blanc 

There was a portrait of President Obama, who apparently made a visit here way back in 2017.

A lovely gem of a town, so full of beauty and warm people. 

Accelerated Aging ; Why it is So Important for Quality Enhancement of your Biomedical Product - QRA's 2 Labs are Solely Focussed for the Industry

      QRA Lab 1 is equipped to run 24 hours 7 days a week for months and even years 

             22 Years Providing Top Quality Equipment and Services Internationally 

         Contact Us for your Accelerated Aging Needs and Develop World Class  

                                          Products  for your Brand Today !

Every medical device is required by law to be labelled with an expiration date. The key question to every consumer is this. What exactly is an "expiration date" ? Is the performance of the device guaranteed  to be the same up until that magical date and then falls off dramatically after that ?

How do the manufacturers 'know; that the devices or products can really last that long ?

Thats where the decades long studies and the international standards have been put forth out in the market by top standards bodies such as ASTM (ASTM F 1980 - 21) and ISO (ISO 11607-1) for the US and European markets - the 2 largest consumer markets in the world for such products.

Testing your products and accelerating the aging of your products lends you credibility when you have the product rubber stamped on the box.

The test strategy for any biomedical or pharmaceutical company wanting to attain permission from  the FDA or the European market is to perform these aging tests by either : 

a) procuring accelerated aging chambers 

b) outsourcing these aging tests 

and conducting these tests.

For many biomedical devices that are manufactured from metals and robust plastics, the evaluation time for a product's shelf life  can be significantly shortened by aging the materials at elevated temperatures (as high as 70 C can be set).

Other products, such as biologic materials or products made of thermally sensitive materials, require a more thorough aging study design with environmental chambers relevant to more unique product requirements. 

Choose QRA International - the only Lab in Asia DEDICATED to 

ASTM F 1980 - 21   (for application for FDA approval to sell in USA market)

and ISO 11607 - 1   (for application to sell in the EU market) 

1. Establish product shelf life under both accelerated and real time conditions.QRA offers both test conditions at our 2 State of the Art Laboratories in Singapore and we are exploring setting up new Labs in Australia and USA. 

      An example : 

     Accelerated Aging in Chamber                              Real Life Test in Chamber

    55 C 50%    -  4.5 months         Equivalent to :          25 C 50% - 36 months (3 years)

2. Meet regulatory requirements following the ISO 11607 - 1 and ASTM F 1980 or any custom testing protocol needed to establish your products expiration date.

3. Start, Monthly, Weekly and End Test Reports backed by ISO 9001 : 15 traceability sent to you by email.

4. Additionally, QRA International provides comprehensive post tests, such as Peel and Bubble Tests to determine Sterile Barrier Hermiticity and package integrity

QRA also sells these shelf life testing chambers under our QRA brand. 

For more information, contact :

Tel :(65) 6795 1486

www.qra.com.sg

Email : 1. qrasales@qra.com.sg

            2. mark@qra.com.sg

There is never a better time to improve your products branding. 

Talk to the experts today. 

QRA International 

Make Better Great

Solar Chamber for Human Testing in Ultimate Weather Conditions. QRA's Sunlight Simulation Chamber for Peak Performance

 

Human Performance Chamber for 4 athletes with Solar Lamps - First in Asia

QRA International is the first company in Asia to provide for the largest Human Performance Chambers for athletes, soldiers and elite gym goers.

With its experience of over 21 years in the industry, QRA International has some 200 installations in Asia, Australia and Middle East. We are glad to provide top quality chambers to customers ranging for hospitals, military research institutions, universities and sports institutions.

The chamber in the picture is designed for simulating the hot and humid environment of the tropical jungles. The research done is for the prevention of heatstroke so the full solar spectrum is provided by the solar lamps (4) directly above the treadmills.

The environmental controlled conditions for the chamber are :

Temp       : - 20 C to + 50 C

Humidity :  10 to 95% rH

Wind        :  0 to 15 m/s wind speed%

Solar        : Full solar spectrum according to Arizona Sunlight standards

CO2         :  within 2000 ppm for 1 hour of extensive use by 4 persons inside chamber

The chamber provided by QRA International was installed and commissioned in 2015, so it is working perfectly well for close to 10 years.

QRA provides the full service package to all clients in a timely manner. We are ISO 9001 : 2015 certified and will be aiming to achieve the ISO 17025 certification within a year.

         O2 Control to 9000 m altitude Temperature Humidity and Wind Speed Control 

    

   

    QRA International Pte Ltd provides the following for you :

1. Complete Consultation, Quotation, Installation 4 Months (min) upon PO and up to 5        years warranty on equipment a6nd labour. 

2. Full technical consultancy with advice to latest standards and compliance.

3. Testing Services  - ASTM F 1980 - 21 ISO 11607 and D 4169

4. Rental of Equipment - from 1 month and longer

5. Preventive Maintenance and Calibration of your equipment

6. Upgrade and Repair of your equipment.

   

    Interested ?  Speak with the experts  Now !

   Call : (65) 6795 1486

   Email :     mark@qra.com.sg

   Website : www.qra.com.sg 

   We will be most happy to provide consultation to your technical people at the time         

   convenient to you.