The medical term for the age-related loss of skeletal muscle mass and strength is sarcopenia.
Sarcopenia is associated with reductions in muscle mass, muscle quality, strength, and physical performance. It is influenced by aging, inactivity, inadequate nutrition, chronic disease, hormonal changes, and changes in the nervous system. The condition can increase the risk of falls, fractures, disability, and loss of independence.
The word comes from Greek: sarx means “flesh,” and penia means “poverty” or “lack.” Irwin Rosenberg proposed the term in 1989 to describe an important but underrecognized feature of aging. Clinical definitions have evolved, and many assessment systems now emphasize muscle strength or physical performance alongside muscle quantity.
Sarcopenia is not simply another word for atrophy. Atrophy means a wasting or shrinking of tissue and can result from many causes, including immobilization or nerve injury. Cachexia is also different: it is a complex wasting syndrome often linked to serious chronic illness, though cachexia and sarcopenia can occur together. Progressive resistance exercise can help slow muscle loss and improve strength in older adults.