Muscle Atrophy: 5 Exercises to Build Strength

Exercise is a common treatment for muscle atrophy. Here’s why experts recommend these 5 options.

By Nayanika Guha

Medically Reviewed by Scott Haak, PT, DPT, MTC, CSCS

Muscular atrophy is the thinning, wasting, or loss of muscle tissue, leading to decreased strength and mass. There are various types of muscle atrophy and different treatments for them. One common treatment for certain kinds of muscle atrophy is exercise, which helps relieve symptoms of atrophy by rebuilding strength and mass.

Here’s what you should know about the symptoms and types of muscle atrophy, as well as common exercises that can help.

What Are the Symptoms and Types of Muscle Atrophy?

Muscle atrophy can affect any muscle group in the body and can result from various factors, including lack of use, disease, or injury. Some common symptoms of muscle atrophy are:

• Weakness in an arm or leg
• One arm or one leg being smaller than the other
• Tingling or numbness in your limbs
• Difficulty walking or keeping your balance
• Trouble speaking or swallowing
• Weakness in your facial muscles
• Memory loss over time

According to John Gallucci Jr., DPT, the CEO of JAG Physical Therapy, there are three types of muscle atrophy:

• Physiologic atrophy, which is caused by not using the muscles enough
• Pathologic atrophy, which can happen with aging, starvation, and health conditions such as Cushing’s disease
• Neurogenic atrophy, which is the most severe type of muscle atrophy. It can be from an injury or disease in a nerve that connects to the muscle

While anyone can develop muscle atrophy, the following populations are especially at risk, says Brittany Steindl, DPT, a physical therapist with BLS Physical Therapy in Closter, New Jersey.

• Older adults: “Elderly individuals experience natural muscle loss with aging, making seniors especially at risk,” says Dr. Steindl.
• Sedentary people: “Sedentary people who lead a sedentary lifestyle or are immobile due to illness or injury are also more susceptible,” says Steindl. These may include people who are bedridden, recovering from surgery, have seated jobs, have low activity levels, or have health problems that limit mobility.[2]
• Injured athletes: “Athletes in certain sports may experience long periods of inactivity during recovery from injuries or surgeries, increasing their risk,” says Steindl.

5 Exercises for Muscle Atrophy

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