Sarcopenia

Definition

Sarcopenia is the progressive loss of skeletal muscle mass, strength, and function as a natural part of aging. It can be exacerbated by a sedentary lifestyle and inadequate nutrition.

Related terms

Muscle hypertrophy: The increase in muscle size and volume due to typically rigorous physical training.

Atrophy:

The reduction in muscle mass due to disuse or underuse, often contributing to sarcopenia when it occurs naturally with age.

Protein synthesis: The process by which cells build proteins, crucial for muscle growth and repair; a decrease in efficiency can contribute to sarcopenia