HPB's high intensity exercise sessions for NSmen suspended after death of 25-year-old; investigations ongoing

SINGAPORE — An exercise programme by the Health Promotion Board (HPB) has been suspended until March 6, after a 25-year-old operationally ready national serviceman (NSman) died after collapsing while taking part in the event at West Coast Park on Wednesday (March 2).

The high-intensity interval training (HIIT), called FIT@HPB Quick HIIT, is a form of metabolic circuit training that features short bursts of high intensity exercises that builds strength, endurance and aerobic fitness over time, the NSMatters website states.

The 25-year-old collapsed at the start of the main exercise after completing the warm-up and trainers from HPB’s external vendor immediately attended to him on site, HPB and the Ministry of Defence (Mindef) said in a joint statement on Thursday.

The trainers, who were trained in cardiopulmonary resuscitation and automated external defibrillator, administered both to the man.

The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) was alerted to the incident at 7.41pm and arrived at 7.55pm. The NSman was then taken to National University Hospital via ambulance.

SCDF continued resuscitative efforts on site as well as en route to the hospital.

The ambulance arrived at the hospital at 8.23pm and the man was pronounced dead at 9.21pm.

HPB, Mindef and the Singapore Armed Forces have extended their deepest condolences to the man's family members and are assisting them in their time of grief, they said.