Overuse injuries in athletes: a perspective.

Injuries secondary to sporting activities have increased significantly in the past decade. Traditional treatment programs for these maladies have frequently failed to meet the physiological expectations of the athlete. Forced rest or immobilization result in predictable musculoskeletal atrophy with impaired function. Furthermore, the rehabilitation process has commonly focused on the management of the acute problem with minor attention to the etiology and pathomechanics of the injury (preventive medicine). Many sports injuries, as a result of overuse, can be avoided by scientific coaching and contemporary sports medicine.