The Preventive Effect of Exercise on Epileptic Seizures: A Narrative Review

Introduction: Epilepsy is a common neurological disease that leads to seizures and has been associated with cognitive, psychological, social, and neurobiological consequences. Exercise training is extensively addressed as a non-pharmacological intervention to reduce seizure susceptibility. Here, we review possible mechanisms of exercise training to reduce epileptic seizures. Methods: The literature search was conducted in the Google Scholar, PubMed (Medline/PubMed Central), and Web of Science databases. The keywords "physical activity" OR "exercise" AND "epilepsy" OR "seizure" were searched in the title, abstract, or index term fields. Results: Exercise training can improve quality of life, depression, anxiety, cognitive dysfunction, and memory loss, increase social engagement, and reduce the incidence of epileptic seizures by decreasing inflammation (IL-1β and TNF-α), oxidative stress (MDA, O2-, and H2 O2 ), and neurotransmitter (GABA and glutamate) modulation. However, regular exercise can have beneficial effects on health-related physical fitness factors such as cardiovascular fitness and body composition. Conclusion: Regular physical exercise is an excellent complementary therapy that can be used in the treatment of epileptic seizures.