Sports Medicine Association Singapore (SMAS) is the registered society for Sports Medicine and Sports Science professionals in Singapore. Our members represent and embody the multi-disciplinary spirit that is key to the specialty. Our integrated community includes doctors, physiotherapists, podiatrists, sports nutritionists and dieticians, exercise physiologists, sports scientists and sports psychologists. We are a non-profit organisation committed to the promotion of quality Sports Medicine and Sports Science education to the sporting community in Singapore and beyond.

smas.secretariat@gmail.com c/o Department of Sport & Exercise Medicine, Changi General Hospital, 2 Simei Street 3, Singapore 529889
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Esports Medicine Speakers

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Annual Symposium 2021

25 September (Saturday), 1.30 – 5pm

Afternoon Session: Esports Medicine


Dr. Joshua Liblank
Registrar, Sport & Exercise Medicine, Changi General Hospital

Enter Esports Medicine – Managing the Health of the Esports Athlete

Electronic sports is increasingly accepted as traditional sport and thus deserves real sports medical attention. Probably unrecognised by some, Esports athletes face unique challenges that can pose long-term problems if not addressed early. By reviewing current medical literature and using an integrated health management model, we will discover how to increase hazard awareness, promote wellness and optimize performance in Esports athletes.

 

SPEAKER BIO

Dr. Joshua Li graduated from the NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine in 2011 and obtained his Master of Medicine (Family Medicine) in 2018. As a Sport & Exercise Medicine Registrar at Changi General Hospital, Dr. Li is interested in medical education and serves as an Adjunct Teaching Faculty at the NTU Lee Kong Chain School of Medicine. As an athlete, Dr. Li is a club-sponsored triathlete and actively participates in local and overseas multisport races, from sprint to Ironman distances. Also an avid marathoner, he achieved his personal best timing of 2h 53min at the 2019 New York City Marathon.


Dr. Desmond Quekblank
Senior Consultant Eye Surgeon, Director of Glaucoma Services, Eagle Eye Centre Singapore

Reducing Digital Eye Strain – Computer Vision Syndrome and its Prevention

This presentation explains the symptoms, causes, prevention and treatment of computer vision syndrome. In addition, the rationale and benefits (if any) of blue light blocking glasses are discussed.

 

SPEAKER BIO

Dr. Desmond Quek specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of glaucoma, cataracts, refractive errors, as well as general ophthalmological conditions such as diabetic eye disease, age related macular degeneration, and dry eyes.

Dr. Quek graduated from the Faculty of Medicine at the National University of Singapore (NUS) in 2001. He went on to complete his residency in Ophthalmology at the Singapore National Eye Centre (SNEC). He then underwent sub-specialty fellowship training in glaucoma at SNEC, before pursuing an executive Masters of Business Administration at INSEAD in 2013.

Prior to joining Eagle Eye Centre, Dr. Quek held numerous leadership positions at SNEC. He was also actively involved in research as Principal Investigator in multiple research trials. He is the first author of numerous scientific journal articles, and has given multiple research presentations at international eye conferences.

Dr. Quek believes in good work-life balance. Despite his hectic schedule he finds time to swim and gym regularly and indulges selectively in hawker food. Fluent in English, Mandarin and Teochew, he is trying to learn conversational Japanese.


Ms. Lee Pei Xuanblank
Senior Physiotherapist, Heartland Relab

Gaming Posture and Ergonomics for Esports

Through this presentation, we will understand more about gaming-related musculoskeletal disorders. We will also learn about ideal postures and gaming ergonomics, and practical tips to create an ideal gaming setup. Lastly, we will practice some simple stretches and mobility exercises to prevent musculoskeletal injuries.

 

SPEAKER BIO

Ms. Lee Pei Xuan graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Physiotherapy in 2012 and pursued her Masters of Physiotherapy from National Yang-Ming University, Taiwan. Ms. Lee has since worked in public and private practice settings in both Taipei and Singapore, gaining invaluable experience working with clients of many different clinical conditions across age groups. As a physiotherapist, Ms. Lee is a strong advocate of attaining proper health management for oneself and believes in guiding her clients towards an improvement in quality of life. Her strive for excellence motivates her towards a journey of continuous education to ensure that all her clients are treated with an up-to-date evidence-based approach. Outside of work, Ms. Lee enjoys music, swimming, hiking, as well as yoga and Pilates classes.


Mr. Thomas ‘Blysk’ Kopankiewiczblank
Esports Athlete, 2019 SEA Games Silver Medalist (StarCraft II)

How to Win an Esports SEA Games Medal!

Mainstream audiences see gaming as a leisure activity; however, a substantial amount of dedication and effort needs to be put in to achieve pro status. This segment will bring you through a few little-known secrets to achieve a professional level of gameplay, helping you understand why experts draw parallels between gaming and sports, hence coining the term “Esports”.

 

SPEAKER BIO

Thomas ‘Blysk’ Kopankiewicz is Singapore’s first silver medalist for Esports at the 2019 SEA Games held in the Philippines. He a veteran in the pro-gaming scene for over eight years and has competed at multiple regional and international tournaments, such as DreamHack and Intel Extreme Masters. Thomas is now a full-time content specialist on YouTube under Wah!Banana, as well as his own platforms.


Dr. Aaron Mengblank
Consultant, Psychiatry, Ng Teng Fong General Hospital

Mind Games – Maintaining Mental Wellness in the Pursuit of Gaming Excellence

Esports, unlike traditional physical sports, is often blamed for negative effects on mental health. While there are many positive impacts of gaming on emotional and psychological wellbeing, these are often overshadowed by other concerns such as addiction and unhealthy coping. Those who endeavour in a career in Esports might also find themselves having to deal with the immense pressure of competition alone, something that is often not talked about in this field. In this session, we share about how not to let competitive gaming over consume us, so that we can excel and be the master of the craft.

 

SPEAKER BIO

Dr. Aaron Meng obtained his medical degree from the National University of Singapore and has been a fully registered medical practitioner since 2012. He has obtained his postgraduate psychiatry qualification with the Royal College of Psychiatrists (United Kingdom) and is accredited as a specialist by the Specialist Accreditation Board in 2018. He has a special interest in youth mental health.


Dr. Richard Swinbourneblank
Sport Nutrition Team Lead & Sleep Scientist, Singapore Sport Institute

Optimising the Esport Athlete with Nutrition & Sleep – Thinking Outside the Box (And Inside the Fridge)

In this session, Ricco shares unique insights about the impact food, supplements and sleep quality have on Esports performance. Ricco will provide an update on the role that nutrient type and timing has in influencing brain performance and recovery, how sleep underpins performance, and the relationship that various functional foods and specific nutrients have on sleep architecture.

 

SPEAKER BIO

Dr. Ricco is a New Zealand-trained Dietitian through the University of Otago, and completed his Sport Dietitian course with Sport Dietitians Australia. He worked with the New Zealand Rugby Union as their High Performance Nutritionist for National All Black Teams between 2007 to 2014. Ten years ago, Dr. Ricco stepped sideways to explore the world of sleep among elite athletes, completing his doctorate with Auckland University of Technology. Dr. Ricco is currently the Team Lead of Sport Nutrition at the Singapore Sport Institute, and a performance scientist for Joseph Schooling and Singapore’s national swimmers. Dr. Ricco is enjoying the application of both his nutrition and sleep knowledge to our elite sporting environment here in Singapore.