Decreased Muscle Mass and Strength

Definition

This refers to the gradual loss of muscle tissue and strength over time, often due to aging or lack of physical activity.

Related terms

Sarcopenia: The degenerative loss of skeletal muscle mass, quality, and strength associated with aging.

Atrophy: A decrease in muscle mass; wasting away or diminution. Muscle atrophy results from a co-morbidity of several common diseases.

Hypertrophy: An increase in muscular size achieved through exercise. When you work out hard enough that you cause micro-tears in your muscle fibers, the body's natural repair process repairs the damage and increases the size of the muscles.