The major concerns regarding epilepsy and sports participation are that a head injury in an epileptic athlete could worsen the condition and that a head injury could trigger seizures in a previously healthy person. Thus, it is important to understand the relationship between head trauma and epilepsy. In general, previously healthy patients who sustain penetrating trauma or a head injury associated with prolonged unconsciousness have a higher risk of developing epilepsy. However, an adult seizure within 24 hours of severe or moderate head trauma was likely to presage the development of epilepsy. Exercise-Epilepsy Interactions Epilepsy patients and their families are commonly concerned about seizures during exercise.
Fear often results in overprotection, feelings of isolation, and needless activity restrictions.
Seizures during exercise are rare, but there are a few reports of exercise-induced ictal events. Two had generalized tonic-clonic seizures, and one had absence seizures. All three patients had normal resting EEGs and showed generalized epileptiform discharges when exercising. There are no specific treatment strategies to counteract this effect. Epilepsy may improve with exercise.