Muscles contract and relax to produce movement. They work in coordination with bones, tendons, and nerves to help us move, maintain balance, and perform tasks. They also play a role in temperature regulation and metabolic health.

Muscles weaken due to inactivity, ageing, chronic diseases, nutritional deficiencies, or long periods of immobility (e.g., bedrest or fracture). If not addressed early, muscle loss can reduce strength, endurance, and recovery capacity.

Yes, starting in your 40s or 50s, you may naturally lose muscle mass—a process called sarcopenia. However, with proper diet and exercise, this loss can be significantly slowed down or partially reversed.

Feeling tired after simple tasks, difficulty climbing stairs, reduced grip strength, or unexplained balance issues may indicate early muscle decline. These signs are often ignored until the problem becomes severe.

To some extent, yes. Muscles have a natural repair mechanism, but repeated injuries, poor nutrition, or ageing can slow recovery. Timely physiotherapy, strength training, and protein intake support regeneration.

Carrying excess weight puts constant pressure on muscles and joints, especially in the lower body. Over time, this can lead to chronic inflammation, reduce overall stamina, and discourage regular physical activity — creating a cycle of inactivity and further muscle loss.

Yes. PCOS is associated with insulin resistance and hormonal imbalance, both of which can reduce lean muscle mass and increase fat storage. Women with PCOS may also struggle with fatigue and reduced motivation to exercise, impacting muscle tone and endurance.

While these conditions primarily affect the heart and blood vessels, they also impact circulation to the muscles, reducing the supply of oxygen and nutrients. This can cause muscle fatigue during activity, delayed recovery, and a feeling of heaviness or cramping.

Sarcopenia is the gradual, age-related loss of muscle mass, strength, and function. It often starts in the 40s or 50s and accelerates with sedentary lifestyle, low protein intake, and chronic illnesses. People with sarcopenia are more prone to weakness, poor balance, slower recovery, and falls.

Complete reversal is difficult, but the effects of sarcopenia can be slowed or improved with targeted exercise, especially resistance and strength training, a high-protein diet, and timely diagnosis. Early intervention is key to preserving independence and quality of life.

Cachexia is a rapid and involuntary loss of muscle and fat, commonly seen in people with cancer, heart failure, or chronic infections. Unlike sarcopenia, which develops gradually with age, cachexia is more severe and harder to treat, often requiring medical supervision and nutritional therapy.

After surgery or a fracture, reduced movement or bedrest can lead to muscle atrophy (shrinkage) in just a few days. If the affected limb isn’t used, muscles begin to weaken and lose flexibility. That’s why physiotherapy and early mobilisation are essential parts of recovery.

Yes. Osteoporosis affects bones, but its consequences — like fractures, limited mobility, or fear of falling — can cause people to move less. This inactivity leads to muscle deconditioning. Also, both bones and muscles depend on similar nutrients (like calcium and vitamin D), so deficiency affects both systems.

Yes. Both osteoarthritis (wear-and-tear) and rheumatoid arthritis (autoimmune) can limit how much someone moves or exercises due to joint pain and stiffness. This inactivity results in muscle weakening around joints, especially in the knees, hips, and hands, reducing functional strength over time.