Epilepsy is the most common chronic neurological disorder in the world. Pharmacological treatment is essential in the majority of cases. However, nonpharmacologic therapies such as regular physical activity have been studied in the treatment of epilepsy. It was well established that the regular physical activity provides benefits on physical fitness and health. However, people with epilepsy are often discouraged from participating in physical activity programs. This reluctance derived from overprotection of health's professionals and relatives, because there are fears that the practice of physical activity may predispose individuals to traumatic injury or that fatigue resulting from physical effort can precipitate a seizure. Growing evidence shows that regular physical activity is beneficial for individuals with epilepsy, with few findings showing an increase in seizure frequency or risk of injury when the disease is pharmacologically controlled. Therefore, the purpose of this review is to present the possible risks and benefits of regular physical activity for people with epilepsy.
Epilepsy; Epileptic seizure; Exercise; Sport