What is the term for the loss of muscle mass commonly associated with aging when no underlying disease is present?

The term for the gradual loss of muscle mass that commonly occurs with aging, in the absence of any underlying disease, is sarcopenia. Sarcopenia is characterized by a decline in muscle strength and function, which can have significant impacts on mobility and overall health in older adults. This process is often attributed to a combination of factors, including hormonal changes, decreased physical activity, and alterations in nutrition that accompany aging.

Cachexia, on the other hand, refers to a more severe and generalized muscle wasting that is associated with underlying illnesses such as cancer or chronic heart failure, and is not simply a result of aging. Atrophy describes a decrease in the size of muscle fibers but does not specifically refer to age-related muscle loss, and myopathy refers to diseases of muscle tissue, which are also not solely linked to the aging process. Therefore, sarcopenia is the accurate term used to describe the age-related loss of muscle mass in otherwise healthy individuals.