Sports and safety in epilepsy

ABSTRACT

Sport is important not only in normal healthy populations, but also in persons with medical illness, physical or mental disabilities. Active participation in sports is benefi cial physically and psychologically. The main concern in sports for persons with epilepsy is safety. This results in sedentary lifestyles, overprotective attitudes of caregivers and friends. Despite the benefi ts of sports, with the various reassuring studies showing non-signifi cant impact of sports in seizures frequency, physiological changes, EEG, and physical injury, people with epilepsy continue to be less active in sports. This is related to various barriers in sports include epilepsy-specifi c fear, personal barriers, social barrier. Understanding and overcoming these barriers is the key in promoting sports among people with epilepsy.