What term describes the decrease in muscle size and strength due to inactivity?

• A. Hypertrophy
• B. Atrophy
• C. Dystrophy
• D. Myopathy

Answer: (B)

When muscles aren’t used, they size down and lose strength—that process is atrophy. Atrophy means shrinking of muscle tissue due to disuse, which lowers the muscle’s ability to generate force. Hypertrophy would be the opposite, an increase in size from training. Dystrophy refers to a progressive disease causing degeneration of muscle tissue. Myopathy is a general term for a muscle disease that weakens the muscles. Therefore, the decrease in muscle size and strength from inactivity is called atrophy. It can be reversed with regular activity and resistance training.