[graeme]

Yes? Sarcopenia, age related muscle loss, is extremely common, mostly optional, and largely unnoticed by those who have it.

It’s associated with many bad health impacts and reduced practical abilities.

If your brain is worse you are worse at a lot of things.

[Nitrolo]

When you say "mostly optional" I assume you mean working out will drastically reduce the rate of muscle loss. Is that what you mean or are there other intervention?

[graeme]

Yeah exactly. Continuing to use your muscles so they don’t deteriorate, sleeping a good amount, and eating a decent diet that includes enough protein to sustain them.

You will still get less strong with age even if you do this but vast bulk of sarcopenia is just atrophy. Also worth noting that preservation is easier than gaining. Meaning if you get strong you can keep most of it with less effort than it took to acquire it.

The wikipedia has a good overview of factors and prevention https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sarcopenia