Feeling weaker than usual, with physical tasks becoming harder. Loss of muscle mass and strength can come with ageing, inactivity, illness, poor nutrition and some medicines.

Australian guidelines recommend muscle-strengthening activities on at least 2 days each week.
Muscle loss can lead to falls. If you have low muscle mass and have a fall or injury, see your doctor straight away.
A drooping face, an arm that cannot be lifted, or slurred speech can be signs of stroke. Call triple zero (000) straight away.

When to get help

Get help now

Signs of stroke need triple zero (000) straight away: a drooping face, an arm that cannot be lifted, or slurred or confused speech.

Source: Stroke Foundation, Signs of stroke (F.A.S.T.).

See your doctor if

You feel you are losing strength.
You have low muscle mass and have had a fall or injury.

Things that can contribute

Ageing
Not being physically active
Health problems
Not enough protein
Some medicines such as corticosteroids

Questions you could ask your GP

Could any of my medicines be affecting my muscles?
Should my vitamin D, thyroid or other levels be checked?
Would a structured strength programme be safe for me?

Based on healthdirect Australia, Loss of muscle mass. You can also check your symptoms with the healthdirect Symptom Checker, or speak with a registered nurse on 1800 022 222.

How it works

Loss of muscle mass means the body contains less muscle over time, and when weakness makes physical tasks hard it is called sarcopenia. It may be caused by ageing and not being physically active, many health problems, not enough protein, and some medicines such as corticosteroids.

Exercise, especially resistance (strength) training, is very important for improving muscle mass and strength, and a balanced diet rich in protein helps. If you feel you are losing strength, do not assume it is just part of getting older. See your doctor.

Connections

5 connections on the map. Select a topic to read its page.

Muscle weakness and slow recovery is linked with

Muscles and bones
Loss of muscle mass and strength may be caused by ageing and not being physically active.
Source: healthdirect Australia, Loss of muscle mass
Vitamin D Supported
Low vitamin D can cause bone pain and muscle weakness in adults.
Sources: NIH Office of Dietary Supplements, Vitamin D fact sheet for consumers; healthdirect Australia, Vitamin D deficiency

Muscle weakness and slow recovery can be caused by

Mitochondrial disease
Muscle and nerve cells have especially high energy needs, so muscle and nerve problems are common in mitochondrial diseases.
Source: MedlinePlus (US National Library of Medicine), Mitochondrial diseases
Sitting time Supported
Sitting for long periods can weaken and waste the large leg and buttock muscles.
Source: Better Health Channel (Victorian Government), The dangers of sitting

Muscle weakness and slow recovery can be eased by

Strength training
Exercise, especially resistance (strength) training, is very important for improving muscle mass and strength.
Source: healthdirect Australia, Loss of muscle mass

Sources

Loss of muscle masshealthdirect Australia, last reviewed February 2026
Physical activity and exercise guidelines for adultsAustralian Government, health.gov.au
Signs of stroke (F.A.S.T.)Stroke Foundation

Each connection above names its own source. See every source AskBioMap uses.

Summarised from healthdirect, the Australian Government guidelines and the Stroke Foundation. Sources read on 12 and 16 October 2026. General education only, not medical advice. Spotted a mistake? Please tell us through the HuBu-Intel contact page.

In brief