What term describes the loss of ability to associate muscles together for complex movements?

The term that describes the loss of ability to associate muscles together for complex movements is asynergia. This condition occurs when there is a lack of coordination between different muscle groups, which inhibits a person’s ability to perform smooth and coordinated movements. Asynergia is often associated with disorders affecting the cerebellum, which is the part of the brain responsible for coordination and balance. In this state, an individual may find it difficult to perform tasks that require multiple muscle groups working in harmony, leading to fragmented and uncoordinated movements.

Asthenia refers to generalized weakness or a lack of strength, typically affecting overall muscle power rather than coordination. Hypotonia involves reduced muscle tone, which can also affect control of movements but does not specifically address the coordination issue among muscle groups. An intention tremor is characterized by an involuntary shaking that occurs during purposeful movement, particularly as a target is approached, but does not reflect the broader coordination challenges presented by asynergia. Therefore, asynergia specifically captures the essence of impaired coordination of muscle groups necessary for complex movements.