What is the term for the wasting away of muscle, often due to disuse or injury?

Atrophy is the term that describes the wasting away or decrease in muscle mass, which can occur as a result of disuse, injury, or certain medical conditions. When a muscle is not being used, such as during prolonged bed rest, immobilization, or after an injury, the body begins to break down muscle tissue, leading to a reduction in size and strength. This process is a normal physiological response to decreased load or stimulus on the muscle fibers.

Understanding atrophy is crucial in sports medicine because it highlights the importance of rehabilitation and appropriate activity levels during recovery to restore muscle mass and function. In contrast, hypertrophy refers to an increase in muscle size due to exercise or resistance training. Contraction is the process by which muscle fibers shorten, leading to movement. Hyperplasia involves an increase in the number of muscle fibers, but this is not typically a significant factor in human muscle physiology in the context described. Thus, the correct term for muscle wasting due to disuse or injury is atrophy.