[Should people with epilepsy exercise?].

Abstract

Many people with epilepsy, especially those with uncontrolled seizures, live a sedentary life and have low physical fitness. Regular physical exercise may have a moderate seizure preventive effect in 30-40% of the patient population, while in about 10%, strenuous exercise may provoke seizures. Among those prone to exercise-induced seizures there is a preponderance of patients with very poor physical fitness and symptomatic epilepsy. The underlying mechanisms of interaction between epilepsy and physical exercise are mainly unknown. As a general rule, people with epilepsy should be stimulated to participate in recreational and athletic activities. However, as this patient group is highly heterogeneous, counselling on this topic should be individualised and take into account both seizure type and frequency. A distinction may be drawn between three categories: activities with no restrictions, activities with some restrictions, and activities that are not advisable.