Learning from Graeme Close
The scientist who bridges the lab and the locker room—and created the "Paper to Podium" filter
The Story
Graeme Close has an unusual combination of credentials:
- Professor of Human Physiology at Liverpool John Moores University
- Accredited Sports Nutritionist
- Accredited Strength and Conditioning Coach
- Former professional Rugby League player
That last one matters. Close knows what it feels like to be in the trenches. He's been tackled, exhausted, and fed advice that didn't work.
This dual identity—scientist AND former athlete—drives his philosophy: research that can't survive translation to the locker room isn't useful.
His "Paper to Podium" framework has become the standard for how practitioners evaluate whether a study actually matters for real athletes.
Who is Graeme Close?
| Credential | Detail |
|---|---|
| Role | Professor of Human Physiology, Liverpool John Moores University |
| Known For | "Paper to Podium" framework; Vitamin D research; practical application of sports science |
| Background | Former professional Rugby League player; works with Premier League and Olympic teams |
| Philosophy | "Food First but Not Always Food Only" |
Close's rare combination of academic rigor and practical experience makes him a trusted voice for both scientists and athletes.
What ISP Students Learn
Lesson 1: Not All Research Is Useful
Close's "Paper to Podium" framework asks nine questions about any study before applying it:
Key filters include:
| Question | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Who were the subjects? | A study on sedentary college students doesn't apply to elite athletes |
| What was the control? | Without proper placebo control, you can't know if it works |
| Can it actually be done? | Complex protocols fail due to athlete non-compliance |
| What's the risk/reward? | Even if it works, is it worth the contamination risk? |
| When should it be applied? | Good intervention at wrong time = bad intervention |
"Athletes have a finely tuned bullshit detector."
What this means for young athletes: Not everything you read about nutrition is worth doing. Learn to filter.
Lesson 2: Food First, But Not Always Food Only
Close's position on supplements is nuanced:
Food First: Real food should always be the foundation. It provides the "matrix effect"—nutrients work better in whole food form.
But Not Always Food Only: There are situations where supplements make sense:
- Correcting a genuine deficiency (iron, Vitamin D)
- Logistics make whole food impossible
- Specific performance benefits proven (caffeine, creatine, nitrate)
The key: supplements are for specific situations, not daily insurance.
What this means for young athletes: Build your nutrition on real food. Use supplements only when there's a specific, evidence-based reason.
Lesson 3: Vitamin D Is Under-Appreciated
Close has done extensive research on Vitamin D deficiency in athletes, especially in northern climates (like the UK... or Iowa).
His findings:
- Many athletes are deficient, especially those training indoors or in winter
- Deficiency impairs immune function, muscle function, and bone health
- Supplementation to adequate levels improves these markers
Practical recommendation: Get tested. If deficient, supplement to bring levels to optimal range (75-125 nmol/L).
What this means for young athletes: If you live somewhere without year-round sun, Vitamin D deficiency is likely. It's worth testing.
Lesson 4: Earn the Right to Practice
Close emphasizes "soft skills" for nutritionists—but the lesson applies to athletes too.
You can have perfect knowledge, but if you can't:
- Communicate effectively
- Build trust
- Understand context
...then your knowledge is useless.
For athletes, this means: before worrying about advanced supplements and protocols, master the basics. You haven't "earned the right" to worry about beetroot juice timing if you're not eating enough protein or sleeping enough.
What this means for young athletes: Fix the fundamentals before adding complexity.
Key Takeaways
| Lesson | One-Liner |
|---|---|
| Filter research critically | "Paper to Podium" — most studies don't translate to the real world |
| Food first | Supplements for specific situations, not daily insurance |
| Check Vitamin D | Deficiency is common and impairs performance |
| Earn the right | Master basics before worrying about advanced strategies |
How This Shows Up at ISP
Graeme Close's practical approach shapes how we evaluate nutrition information in the Bio Skill Tree:
- We teach critical evaluation of nutrition claims
- "Food First" is the foundation of our nutrition philosophy
- Vitamin D awareness is part of health education (especially relevant for Iowa)
- The progression from basics to advanced is built into the curriculum
When ISP students encounter nutrition trends, they learn to ask: "Does this pass the Paper to Podium test?"
The Rugby Perspective
Close's background in Rugby League—a brutal collision sport—informs his understanding of recovery needs.
He's researched:
- The metabolic cost of repeated impacts
- How collision damage affects protein needs
- Sleep nutrition for athletes with travel schedules
His work shows that contact sport athletes may need higher protein intakes than endurance athletes due to the muscle damage from impacts.
Learn More
"Research that can't survive translation to the locker room isn't useful research."