sarcopenia

noun

sar·​co·​pe·​nia ˌsär-kō-ˈpē-nē-ə 

: reduction in skeletal muscle mass due to aging

Examples of sarcopenia in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In addition, people lose muscle mass and height, which is known as sarcopenia, and more easily add body fat.6 As a result, aging—especially during the middle decades of life—can lead to endomorphic body shapes. —Mark Gurarie, Health, 14 Dec. 2024

Some studies suggest that CoQ10 can combat sarcopenia in older adults when used with exercise.18 CoQ10 has been studied in trials for sports performance at doses of 100 to 600 mg per day. —Elizabeth Barnes, Verywell Health, 30 Oct. 2024

This phenomenon—known as sarcopenia—manifests even in healthy, physically active individuals, beginning around the age of 40.10 Sarcopenia is a gradual process that varies significantly from person to person. —Laura Campedelli, Verywell Health, 30 July 2024

In other words, combating or reversing sarcopenia, or both, may be best done with a proper resistance-training program that prioritizes improving strength. —Zachary Gillen, Discover Magazine, 19 Oct. 2023

Recent evidence suggests that one of the key factors leading to sarcopenia is low muscle strength. —Zachary Gillen, Discover Magazine, 19 Oct. 2023

Physical Activity and Exercise Though natural aging plays a dominant role in sarcopenia, lack of physical activity also contributes to the loss of muscle mass. —Lauren J. Young, Scientific American, 2 July 2023

Muscle atrophy in space isn’t exactly the same process as sarcopenia caused by gradual aging on Earth, Huang notes. —Max G. Levy, Wired, 9 Aug. 2021

But day after day, the same repetitive-motion pounding that builds bone can pulverize knee and hip joints with osteo-arthritis and accelerate sarcopenia, muscle wasting. —Los Angeles Times, 26 Sep. 2019

Word History

Etymology

sarco- + -penia

First Known Use

1991, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for sarcopenia

• asthenia
• eugenia
• lacinia
• puccinia
• robinia
• vaccinia
• yersinia
• iphigenia
• leucopenia
• leukopenia
• myasthenia
• neurasthenia

Medical Definition

sarcopenia

noun

sar·​co·​pe·​nia ˌsär-kō-ˈpē-nē-ə 

: reduction in skeletal muscle mass due to aging

Age-related sarcopenia is a key component of frailty.

—Alessandro Laviano, The New England Journal of Medicine