Which of the following indicates that an athlete is suffering from a chronic injury instead of an acute injury?

A chronic injury is characterized by symptoms that develop gradually over time and persist even when there is no activity. When an athlete experiences a dull ache while at rest, it indicates that the issue is likely ongoing and not the result of a sudden trauma. This aching sensation, present even without physical exertion, suggests that the injury has been present for a while and has not yet healed.

In contrast, acute injuries typically present with sharp pain or immediate symptoms following a specific event, such as swelling or severe pain during movement. These signals indicate recent trauma rather than an ongoing condition. Therefore, the presence of a dull ache at rest aligns with characteristics of chronic injury, highlighting the distinction between it and acute injuries.