What term refers to the loss of muscle mass commonly associated with aging?

The term that refers to the loss of muscle mass commonly associated with aging is sarcopenia. This condition is characterized by a gradual decline in muscle mass and strength as individuals get older, leading to a decrease in overall physical function. Sarcopenia is a significant concern in geriatric medicine because it can affect mobility, increase the risk of falls, and contribute to frailty. The etiology of sarcopenia is multifactorial, often involving factors such as hormonal changes, decreased physical activity, and nutritional deficiencies, which are prevalent in older populations.

Other terms mentioned relate to different conditions: myopathy typically refers to a disease of the muscle itself, which can arise from various causes, including genetic factors, inflammation, or metabolic disorders. Spasticity is a condition characterized by abnormal muscle tightness due to prolonged muscle contraction, often seen in neurological disorders. Lastly, atrophy broadly refers to the reduction in size of an organ or tissue, specifically muscle tissue in this context, but does not specifically denote the age-related aspect that sarcopenia encompasses. Understanding these distinctions helps clarify the specific focus of sarcopenia as it pertains to aging and muscle loss.