Decrease in muscle size is known as what?

Decrease in muscle size is known as what?

• A. Atrophy
• B. Hypertrophy
• C. Gait
• D. Myofascia

Answer: (A)

Shrinkage of muscle tissue is called atrophy. It happens when muscles aren’t used enough, when nerve signals to the muscle are reduced, or with aging and certain illnesses. Atrophy occurs as protein production in muscle slows and breakdown increases, so individual muscle fibers become smaller and the overall muscle mass decreases. This is different from hypertrophy, which is an increase in muscle size in response to training or hormones. Gait refers to the pattern of walking, not muscle size, and myofascia is the connective tissue surrounding muscles, not a change in size. In practice, atrophy can occur after long periods of immobilization or nerve injury, and it may be helped by gradual, targeted exercise to rebuild muscle mass.

Shrinkage of muscle tissue is called atrophy. It happens when muscles aren’t used enough, when nerve signals to the muscle are reduced, or with aging and certain illnesses. Atrophy occurs as protein production in muscle slows and breakdown increases, so individual muscle fibers become smaller and the overall muscle mass decreases. This is different from hypertrophy, which is an increase in muscle size in response to training or hormones. Gait refers to the pattern of walking, not muscle size, and myofascia is the connective tissue surrounding muscles, not a change in size. In practice, atrophy can occur after long periods of immobilization or nerve injury, and it may be helped by gradual, targeted exercise to rebuild muscle mass.