Elite cyclist Richie Porte paid University of Tasmania Exercise Science students a visit on Tuesday at the university’s School of Health Sciences.
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Porte toured a laboratory and exercise physiology clinic and delivered a talk about life as a professional cyclist, and how he manages diet, exercise and recovery.
Associate Professor in Exercise Science at the School of Health Sciences, James Fell, said the experience was enlightening for students.
“Most students don’t have any real concept about the … power outputs that elite cyclists can produce,” Associate Professor Fell said.
You could see the eyes in the audience widening as they heard about the power outputs [Porte] can maintain.
- Associate Professor James Fell
“He was talking about his threshold or interval training intensities … and you could see the eyes in the audience widening as they heard about the power outputs [Porte] can maintain.”
The tour included inspecting the clinic where classes and consultations for people with chronic and complex disease.
“We use exercise … as a treatment … for these people,” he said.
He said the opportunity to interact with an athlete as elite as Porte was “absolutely invaluable” to students.