Losing your muscle is scientifically referred to as muscle atrophy. Muscle atrophy is characterized by wasting or shrinking muscle tissue. A loss in muscle mass can cause physical limitations by decreasing strength levels, which can also adversely affect your balance. Muscle atrophy can be caused by a variety of issues but is likely do to being physically inactive.
Physical Inactivity
Most muscle atrophy is a result of a lack of physical activity. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, atrophy is typically because people are not using their muscles enough. Those who have physical limitations, become injured or choose to be sedentary will see a shrinking of their muscle tissue. Those who are very physically active and participate in the muscle-building activity of strength training will see their muscles shrinking once they stop lifting weights or decrease their training volume.
Aging
There is a natural tendency to lose some muscle as you get older. Combining with the natural loss is the tendency to become more inactive as you get older, which contributes even further to the loss in muscle mass. This is of particular concern because a loss in physical function can lead to falls.
Disease
Losing muscles can also be due to a neurogenic disease, which is when there is a problem with the nerve that recruits the muscle fibers. Some examples of diseases that will affect the neuromuscular system include Lou Gehrig's disease, polio and Guillain-Barre syndrome. It is recommended you visit your medical professional if you are experiencing losses in muscle mass and are not sedentary or are seeing long-term muscle losses.
Treatment
Becoming more active and participating in strength training will help treat and combat the loss in muscle mass. Participate in a consistent strength-training program featuring two to three days of workouts per week. A comprehensive strength-training program includes squats, leg curls, calf raises, chest presses, lat pulldowns, shoulder presses, biceps curls, triceps extensions and abdominal curls. To stimulate increases in muscle mass, Dr. Joseph A. Chromiak of the National Strength and Conditioning Association recommends performing each exercise at a volume of two to three sets of six to 12 repetitions each. Even older people that consistently participate in strength training will prevent muscle atrophy and even help build muscle mass.
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