What are overuse injuries primarily caused by?

Overuse injuries arise primarily from repetitive stress applied to muscles, joints, and tissues. This can manifest as soreness, strains, and sprains that develop over time with continued physical activity. When an individual performs the same motion repeatedly, the body does not have enough time to recover, leading to micro-traumas in the tissues.

Factors contributing to overuse injuries include improper technique, excessive intensity or duration of activity, and insufficient rest. Unlike one-time accidents, which are more acute in nature, and other factors like genetic predisposition or inadequate warm-up techniques, overuse injuries specifically stem from the cumulative effects of repetitive physical stress over an extended period. Thus, the best answer highlights the essence of overuse injuries as a result of ongoing and repeated exertion rather than isolated incidents or genetic factors.