Enhancing Long-Term Knee Health Through MAI Motion Re-Testing and Self-Management Strategies

Knee problems are on the rise, affecting more people each year and putting extra pressure on healthcare systems. Living with chronic knee issues isn't easy, and it often means needing ongoing, personalised care. The good news? New technology is opening up better ways to support knee health . One exciting development is MAI Motion , a markerless digital motion-capture system that makes it simple for both individuals and clinicians to monitor knee health over time. By pairing regular movement assessments with practical self-management strategies, MAI Motion helps you take control of your recovery and maintain healthy knees in the long run. In this article, we’ll explore the impact of this technology and how easy, routine testing and customised exercise guidance can make a real difference.

What Is MAI Motion and How Does It Help?

MAI Motion is an advanced, AI-powered system designed to record three-dimensional movement—no need for special markers or wearable sensors . One of its most useful features is the sit-to-stand (STS) test, where you simply stand up from a chair. This everyday movement , broken into four stages (bending forward, shifting weight, standing upright, and stabilising), reveals a lot about your knee health.

With digital motion capture , MAI Motion precisely measures key aspects like joint angles, the force you generate (also known as impulse), and your range of motion at each stage. All of this is done without bulky equipment, giving you a clear, accurate view of your knee ’s biomechanics—either at the clinic or right in your living room. This approach means knee assessments are now more accessible, accurate, and user-friendly.

Why Three Repetitions of Sit-to-Stand Are Sufficient

Traditionally, motion assessments called for five repetitions of the sit-to-stand movement to get reliable results. However, new research shows that just three repetitions can deliver equally accurate measurements. Experts use indicators like the coefficient of variation (CV) and the difference in mean (DiM) to ensure the data is consistent and trustworthy.

Cutting down to three repetitions makes the assessment quicker, easier, and less tiring—especially important for anyone with pain or limited mobility. The shorter test also encourages more frequent and regular tracking, which is essential for ongoing knee health , without compromising on accuracy.

The Importance of Regular Re-Testing

Our knees can perform differently from day to day due to factors like fatigue, changes in muscle control, or slight changes in the way we move. That’s why regular re-testing is so valuable: it helps identify small shifts in knee function , track progress during rehab, and catch variations in how your muscles and nerves work together.

Routine monitoring ensures both you and your clinician have the latest, most accurate information—making it easier to adjust your care plan as needed and stay motivated on your recovery journey.

How to Make Re-Testing Easy and Effective

How often you need to re-test depends on where you are in your recovery. During early rehab, monthly assessments keep track of improvements and help fine-tune your plan. Once you’re maintaining good function, quarterly check-ins are usually enough.

Using the three-repetition sit-to-stand test as your benchmark strikes the perfect balance—quick, reliable, and approachable. To keep your results consistent, try to do each test under similar conditions: the same time of day, the same shoes, and clear, repeatable instructions. These simple habits make your results more meaningful and easier to compare over time.

Self-Management: Turning Data Into Action

A real advantage of MAI Motion is how it breaks down complex movement data into straightforward, personal insights. You’ll see exactly where your knee function is improving and where you might need to focus, such as increasing your joint angle or boosting how much force you use during a stand.

MAI Motion ’s feedback tools put you in the driver’s seat. Interactive charts track your progress, showing trends and changes over time, which can keep you motivated and engaged with your recovery. Instead of feeling like a chore, rehab becomes a rewarding challenge, with your data guiding the way.

Personalised Exercises—Built for Your Progress

MAI Motion doesn’t just track your results—it helps shape your exercise routine, too. Based on your test data, it recommends targeted exercises , like controlled squats, single-leg stands, or hip abduction movements, to build strength and stability where you need it most.

As your abilities improve, so do your exercises. For example, if your knee extension improves by five degrees, you might gradually deepen your squats or add resistance. These small, data-driven adjustments help ensure your exercises are safe, effective, and tailored specifically to your progress—so you keep getting stronger without overdoing it.

Making MAI Motion Part of Everyday Life

It’s easy to make MAI Motion part of your regular routine. All you need is a smartphone camera and the MAI Motion app to perform monthly re-tests at home—no expensive equipment required. This markerless setup is far more affordable and accessible than traditional lab-based assessments, putting better knee care within reach for more people.

And looking ahead, advances in artificial intelligence and deep learning promise to make these assessments even smarter, offering tailored support and new insights as technology continues to evolve.

Patient A: A Real-World Success Story

Let’s look at a real example. Patient A, a 62-year-old with early-stage osteoarthritis , used MAI Motion at home to run monthly sit-to-stand tests. Over three months, her knee-flexion range steadily increased, and her movements became more consistent, reflecting improved control.

With these clear insights, her physiotherapist was able to fine-tune her care plan and track real progress. By the end of the period, her knee -flexion impulse had improved by 12%—a measurable, meaningful gain achieved through accessible technology and regular self-monitoring.

The Future of Knee Health

As technology evolves, so will our approach to knee care . Researchers are already working on identifying new, AI-powered biomarkers and adding assessment tasks like walking and squatting to deliver a more complete picture of knee function . Connecting tools like MAI Motion with electronic health records could pave the way for even more personalised treatment plans and bigger breakthroughs in research.

With advances in machine learning , pose estimation, and personalised analytics, digital motion analysis is set to become a core part of modern, sustainable knee health management.

In summary, MAI Motion is a practical and empowering tool for long-term knee health. The three-repetition test makes regular check-ins simple, while personalised data and tailored feedback help you and your clinician make the most informed choices for your care. As this technology becomes more widely adopted, both patients and clinicians will benefit from a smarter, more proactive approach to knee health —now and in the future.