Physimax CEO Ram Shalev: Facilitating Pro-Level Training with Care for Every Active Individual

As a high-performing individual with a MSc degree in engineering and a wealth of experience in developing innovative software services, together with David Kahani my partner – an avid sport analytics fan, we identified and validated a market lacuna - scoring functional movement objectively and in real-time, using software-only-AI with no physical markers nor wearables. Our initial addressable market were athletes and we aimed to educate them about a) risk of injury, b) performance development, and c) recovery progress and readiness for return-to-play. Physimax validated technology reliably scores mild movement limitations that derive from musculoskeletal deficiencies which can be altered by workout prescirbed by service. Our vision is to facilitate pro-level training with care for athletes.

Physimax technology combines multiple layers.

• First, identifying & tracking body motion in 3D or any 2D video (with no markers / wearables), validated for accuracy and robustness.
• Followed by extracting the dynamic movement characteristics, scoring movement deficiencies ("errors") as-if a group of experts (for objectivity reasons) watched the individual and scored aspects of: Mobility, Strength, Stability, Technique and Performance.
• Providing in-depth evaluation of the body functional capacity e.g. knee stability, feet strength; scoring feet to shoulders, comparing the functional performance to the relevant group according to: activity type and level, gender and age group. Physimax developed a robust engine that can be trained to fulfill any evaluation protocol a human expert can visually score but better with immediate access (i.e. by smartphone) and feedback, which is objective, repetitive and provides actionable recommendations. In addition, it highlights the most probable cause for the deficiencies score e.g. weak muscle group, limited stability etc.
• These Insights are followed by weekly workout programs that contain specific exercises that address the findings. The service selects the training scope from activity libraries defined by customer, so that the outcome is sport specific workout programs.

Indeed, the initial set of normative values per a specific group of athletes is based on hundreds of scientific publications we manually reviewed and provisioned to the service. The service collects the motion data samples performed by the end-users, the normative values are refined according to the data samples collected from a relevant group of monitored individuals. To-date normative values were refined in a variety of sport types: soccer, basketball, football, baseball, with different age groups: youth, high-schools, collegiate and professional level, during seasonal training and after-injury rehabilitation.

The major technology barriers were obtaining high measurement accuracy while utilizing "commodity sensors" using computer vision analytics, setting reliability algorithms to reliably track the dynamic movement. With home capturing unlike lab capturing the accuracy measurement varies and the algorithms should weigh different the frames, setting high scores to the most accurate frames. The challenge was to build a tracking algorithms that dissect complex movements into measurable segments for the Machine Learning algorithms to compare with normative values and score the movement objectively as if a group of experts are watching the video.

To support the measurement and scoring accuracy (anyone can theoretically claim that they track and score movement), we have been collaborating with Tier-1 US & Israeli academies: University of North Carolina, University of Connecticut and the US Military Academy at West Point and Walter Reed National Military Medical Center to independently validate the measurements and scoring reliability, implementing evidence-based test protocols.

Furthermore, to make the service actionable and self-use, we developed learning algorithms that highlight the most probable cause of the movement deficiency, set a quantified digital musculoskeletal profile of the individual and recommends complementary exercises, in the specific context of sport type and level.

Being chosen to commercially serve elite sport teams like the Chiefs, Utah Jazz, Flamengo and Paris Saint Germain soccer teams as well as the Israeli and US army, established great credibility for Physimax. Without disclosing names, I can share that teams and athletes who have been continuously using Physimax decreased their non-contact injury rates by 60%, the reported ease-of-use and engagement have been very good as well. Note this impact is influenced by multiple parameters intrinsic and external with Physimax solution is a must-have to objectively and proactively monitor the athlete musculoskeletal functional performance, and hence - condition, scientifically impacting the winning ratio.

As you share, the customer uses this for both, refining the terms - "the performance optimization" is actually athletic performance development that can serve the average person to functional improve, not less important is injury prevention or mitigation to identify deficits that under load are likely to end with an injury.

The COVID-19 influenced our customers and potential customers significantly, as season scheduling was changed, tickets income impacted and “on-site” activities had been limited. However these challenges actually presented also a huge business opportunity - It forced us to push forward on the offering and engagement with providers serving recreational athletes, providing “at home” no touch solution available in a B2B SaaS licensing model that can be activated remotely.

From product and technology, we obtained a patent in the US to protect the unique IP and are in process of obtaining one in Europe. From business perspective, we are thinking of providing our technology to serve the mass market of recreational athletes and following the average person through strategic partnerships with digital platforms that reach out to millions of athletes and health-related services.

We aim to integrate our technology to serve consumers through strategic partnerships in the following fast growing markets: Home fitness, Home Physical Therapy and Wellness.

Wow, a tough question, I’ll try to simplify the answer. I believe the ultimate goal is to keep improving the AI to Deep Learning, naturally interpreting the end-user movement behavior, comparing and leveraging the collective data analysis power. Physimax vision is to democratize direct access for every active individual (3rd generation as well), to achieve the personal functional performance goals.