PHYSICAL ACTIVITY IN EPILEPSY
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.31435/ijitss.2(50).2026.5884Keywords:
Epilepsy, Physical Activity, Exercise, Seizures, Quality of Life, Sport SafetyAbstract
Background: Epilepsy affects approximately 50 million individuals worldwide and represents a major contributor to global neurological morbidity. Despite increasing evidence supporting the safety and benefits of exercise, physical activity remains underutilized in this population. Individuals with epilepsy are consistently less active than the general population, largely due to persistent safety concerns and limited clinical guidance.
Aim: This narrative review aims to examine the relationship between epilepsy and physical activity, including epidemiology, underlying physiological mechanisms, potential benefits, associated risks, and clinical recommendations.
Materials and methods: A structured literature search was conducted using PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar, including studies published between 2008 and 2025. Eligible sources included original research articles, systematic reviews, and clinical guidelines addressing physical activity in individuals with epilepsy.
Results: The available evidence indicates that moderate-intensity physical activity does not increase seizure frequency in most patients and may, in some cases, contribute to seizure reduction. Proposed mechanisms include upregulation of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), reduction of neuroinflammation, and improved autonomic regulation. Exercise is also associated with improvements in quality of life, mood, and physical fitness, which are often inadequately addressed by pharmacological treatment alone. The International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) classification of sports according to seizure-related risk provides a practical framework for individualized recommendations.
Conclusions: Current evidence supports the incorporation of physical activity into epilepsy management, provided that recommendations are tailored to the individual patient.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Maja Śmigielska, Agnieszka Nowosielska-Ogórek, Julia Strumińska, Sylwia Janczak, Tymoteusz Węgrzyn
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