Sport & Research

Sport science · broken down

The research, broken down — and built to apply.

A members' community from Dr Andrew Usher — a monthly roundup of the research that matters, expert takes you can use, discussion zones, and our acclaimed energy-system courses.

Join the monthly review ESD 2.0 courseLog in

The monthly review & community

Stay current — without drowning in papers.

Each month we break down the research worth your time and add our own take. Members get the full searchable library, the community zones, and direct access to mentors.

Monthly research reviews

Four hand-picked papers a month, distilled into clear applied breakdowns — methods, findings, and what they mean on the floor — often with a video review.

Community zones

Discuss with practitioners and mentors in focused zones, share insights, message directly, and build a research profile as your CPD record.

Expert takes

Reviews carry named commentary from Dr Andrew Usher and invited reviewers — connected to his published NIRS/SmO₂ research, not generic summaries.

Join the monthly review

Acclaimed courses

ESD 2.0

Energy System Development is our flagship programme — a structured, applied course on NIRS/SmO₂, energy systems, athlete assessment and data analysis. ESD 2.0 is the updated edition, with 60+ graduates from the original.

  • Built on the acclaimed ESD course — now with more content
  • A dedicated NIRS / SmO₂ module
  • First cohort launches end of August
See ESD 2.0 & join the waitlist

What you'll learn

  • Energy systems & substrate utilisation
  • NIRS / SmO₂ muscle-oxygenation monitoring
  • Athlete assessment & testing protocols
  • Turning physiological data into training decisions

1-1 Mentorship

Work directly with Dr Andrew Usher.

A high-touch mentorship for coaches and practitioners — take advantage of Andrew's physiological, strength & conditioning and nutritional work with elite athletes, teams and individuals, applied directly to your own context.

Enquire about mentorship

What's included

  • Two mentorship calls a month
  • Direct access to Andrew and his methods
  • Access to the monthly research review & community
  • The Physiological Solutions data-analysis platform
  • Insight into how he works with elite teams
  • Current, ongoing research discoveries

The platform · Physiological Solutions

Take what you learn — and apply it.

Physiological Solutions Ltd is our coaching platform for coaches and trainers — training load, a strength builder, a nutrition planner and data analysis in one bespoke system, with native iOS and Android apps. The science from ESD and the reviews, built into the tools you use with athletes.

Explore the platform

Training load

Monitor & plan athlete load

Strength builder

Programme strength work

Nutrition planner

Plan fuelling & body comp

Data analysis

Turn data into decisions

Testimonials

What practitioners say

“
Andrew Usher offers a scientifically robust approach and fresh perspective on energy system development, introducing a practical method to developing conditioning that I believe truly fills a gap between what is typically taught in education systems and the essential demands of real-world, high-level application. The calculated system Andrew presents for assessing, measuring, and progressing training is a definitive game changer, and these methods have directly influenced how we program and train our UFC athletes.
Bill SmartStrength & Conditioning Coach
“
The development of energy systems presents a multifaceted and complex challenge for high performance sport staff. Andrew delivers exceptional clarity on a complex topic, skilfully combining cutting-edge research, sound theory, and real-world case studies to help participants grasp the full picture of energy system development. Andrew's research, training approach and athlete monitoring methods have significantly impacted my practice in the development of elite rugby league players. This mentorship comes highly recommended.
Mitch PembertonS&C Coach · Sport Science
“
I can't recommend this course enough! As someone who's gone down every rabbit hole, and course, of metabolic conditioning you're always left with the same problem. It's either all practical work with outdated science to back it, or it's all theoretical science with no practicality. This course is the perfect blend between the two. Andrew is not only a researcher but a high level coach. He takes his laboratory findings and applies them to real world athletes in elite sport. I also came away with a great deal of insight in regards to rehabilitation. This was absolutely fascinating.
Dylan Seeley, DCInferno Performance and Rehab
“
An excellent mentorship that helped deepen my understanding of the physiology behind energy system development for combat sports. This mentorship is not just lectures — Andrew went out of his way to show each person how they can practically apply the principles learned to their own situation and clients. Having used the bike sprints with myself and a number of clients I can confidently say — no one likes doing bike sprints but EVERYONE loves the conditioning benefits they've got from them.
Sam CrippsStrength & Conditioning

Led by Dr Andrew Usher

Exercise physiologist and sport scientist; consultant to elite teams across boxing, MMA, football and rugby; founder of Physiological Solutions Ltd.

About usRequest access