Nying Du Ma: Two Butterflies: 两只蝴蝶 ... Music, Science Phenomenon

Asia is definitely not a small place by any comparison. Idea flow and ingenuity abound, there is much that is lost in translation. If the lyrics were properly translated into proper English you would probably have many people being able to share in beauty of this song. The Tibetan version is beautiful and you can really here the resonance resounding from her voice.

Tibet Version (Nying Du Ma):

Chinese Version (两只蝴蝶):

Male:

Female:

English Version (Two Butterflies):

Many Tibetan singers have significantly stronger thoracic diaphragm induced output over many Asian singers. The higher altitude creates a natural lowered oxygen content and the body adapts. This creates runners and singers that have a greater yield.

Science:

Global phenomenon in endurance changes due to altitude effects were observed during the Mexico City Summer Olympics in 1968 ( website).

Increasing elevation (higher altitude) causes a decrease in oxygen hemoglobin saturation. In order to compensate, erythropoietin (EPO) stimulates red blood cell (RBC) production from bone marrow in order to normalize the system. EPO is a hormone secreted by the kidneys. The result is increased heart rate and respiratory ventilation compensating for the decreased oxygen. Synthetic EPO was created and used to increase athletic ability also known as  blood doping. This led to massive side effects since it increases RBCs beyond normal (polycythemia) and thus its viscosity causing hypertension, blood clots, heart attacks or strokes. Therefore, scientists realized that the secret lies beyond EPO injections and the length of time taken on a mountain which increases athletic and voice ability goes far beyond increased EPO levels.

Later studies confirmed increased aerobic capabilities (running, swimming, singing) is also correlated to muscle fiber types being changed in high altitude vs. low altitude (sea level) groups. This means there is a higher metabolic efficiency which leads to increased burn rates of Adenosine TriPhosphate (ATP) during the citric acid cycle & beta oxidative cycle.

Interesting that the thoracic diaphragm happens to be a tissue of muscle separating the thorax and abdomen.