# Dynapenia

Dynapenia is the age-related loss of muscle strength and power, separate from the loss of muscle mass. Clark and Manini coined the term in 2008. They wanted to distinguish age-related strength loss from sarcopenia, which historically focused on muscle mass. Dynapenia reflects a neurological decline, not just shrinkage. You have fewer motor units, slower firing rates, and reduced central drive. Because strength predicts death more strongly than mass does, dynapenia is now seen as a distinct geriatric risk factor. Power-focused training is the main countermeasure.

## Sources

- Leong DP, Teo KK, Rangarajan S, Lopez-Jaramillo P, Avezum A Jr, Orlandini A, Seron P, Ahmed SH, Rosengren A, Kelishadi R, Rahman O, Swaminathan S, Iqbal R, Gupta R, Lear SA, Oguz A, Yusoff K, Zatonska K, Chifamba J, Igumbor E, Mohan V, Anjana RM, Gu H, Li W, Yusuf S. (2015). Prognostic value of grip strength: findings from the Prospective Urban Rural Epidemiology (PURE) study. Lancet. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(14)62000-6
- Clark BC, Manini TM. (2008). Sarcopenia =/= dynapenia. Journals of Gerontology Series A: Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences. https://doi.org/10.1093/gerona/63.8.829

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_Canonical: https://longevity-switzerland.com/en/glossary/dynapenia · Part of Longevity Cities · Updated 2026-06-22_