What is the term used when too much stress is applied to skeletal muscles, resulting in injury?

The term used to describe an injury to skeletal muscles when they are subjected to excessive stress is "strain." A strain specifically refers to the overstretching or tearing of muscles or tendons, which are the fibrous connective tissues that attach muscles to bones. Strains can occur from activities that involve heavy lifting, sudden movements, or overexertion.

Understanding that "strain" pertains specifically to muscles differentiates it from other terms related to injuries. For example, a fracture refers to a break in a bone, which is a different kind of injury entirely. A sprain involves the ligaments, which connect bones at a joint, and describes the overstretching or tearing of these ligaments. Pain is a symptom that occurs with various injuries but does not specifically define the type of injury itself. Thus, "strain" is the most accurate term to describe the injury that occurs from excessive stress on skeletal muscles.