Definition: Muscle atrophy refers to the wasting or loss of muscle tissue resulting from disease or lack of use. The most common type of muscular atrophy occurs from a lack of physical exercise.
Also see: Detraining, Deconditioning and Losing Fitness
The majority of muscle atrophy people experience results from a lack of use of the muscles and the deconditioning that occurs when they stop exercising. Decreasing physical activity due to illness, injury or disease can result in lose muscle tone and muscle atrophy. This type of atrophy can be reversible with increased exercise and training.
