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Epilepsy and Sports

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Summary

Millions of healthy people participate in sport on a regular basis. Moreover, in the last decade patients with chronic disorders have been encouraged to take part in sporting activities as a part of their rehabilitation.

Can epileptic patients freely participate in sport or whether they are restricted to a certain extent by their disorder?

An important factor is freedom from seizures. If seizures have been controlled for over 2 years the risk of relapse is the same as the risk of a first seizure.

The risk of patients drowning or falling, or their epilepsy worsening because they are engaged in sport is thought to be low. Clinical data suggest that the incidence of seizures during sports and exercise is reduced. In the cooling down period, however, seizures tend to occur more frequently.

Physicians should encourage epileptic patients to participate in sporting activities to enhance their physical fitness, self-esteem, and social integration. Before giving advice about the most suitable type of sport, the physician should know the patient’s medical history, have a good insight into the different types of sport and be able to judge the role and function of sport to the particular patient.

With certain precautions virtually all sports are suitable for most epileptic patients and should therefore be encouraged. However, a small minority of hospitalised patients with severe epilepsy need the supervision of qualified trainers, coaches and volunteers.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Janus Jongbloed Research Centre, State University, Vondellaan 24, 3521 GG, Utrecht, The Netherlands

    R. van Linschoten & F. J. G. Backx

  2. Instituut voor Epilepsiebestrijding, Heemstede, The Netherlands

    O. G. M. Mulder & H. Meinardi

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  1. R. van Linschoten
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  2. F. J. G. Backx
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  3. O. G. M. Mulder
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  4. H. Meinardi
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van Linschoten, R., Backx, F.J.G., Mulder, O.G.M. et al. Epilepsy and Sports. Sports Med 10, 9–19 (1990). https://doi.org/10.2165/00007256-199010010-00002

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