Youth with epilepsy engaging in various physical activities, symbolizing the positive impact of exercise on their well-being.

Empowering Youth with Epilepsy: How Exercise Can Transform Lives

Lena Voss in Health & Wellness December 2025 • 4 min read.

"Discover the surprising benefits of physical activity for young people with epilepsy, from improved confidence to better seizure management."

For children and adolescents living with epilepsy, the International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) Task Force advocates for active participation in sports and exercise, with appropriate supervision. Physical activity isn't just safe; it's increasingly recognized as a simple, cost-effective way to enhance health, improve how they function day-to-day, and boost their overall quality of life.

Despite these recommendations, many young individuals with epilepsy don't meet the recommended daily levels of physical activity. This can increase their risk of developing additional health problems. While there's a growing trend for youth with epilepsy to participate in sports, some parents and children are still hesitant. On the other hand, adults with epilepsy may avoid team sports or even disclosing their condition due to perceived stigma. So, what's the solution?

To address this gap, a research group conducted a multi-center randomized clinical trial (RCT) called the STEP Study (NCT01550874). The study aimed to determine the effectiveness of an enhanced walking program on the health, functioning, and quality of life of young people living with active epilepsy. Now, a qualitative component has been added to the study, aiming to improve our understanding of children's and parents' perspectives of their experience of the intervention and identify facilitators and barriers to enhance PA.

Unlocking the Benefits: How Physical Activity Transforms Lives

Youth with epilepsy engaging in various physical activities, symbolizing the positive impact of exercise on their well-being.

The study's findings reveal that physical activity has widespread positive effects on various aspects of the lives of participants and their parents. These benefits span across all components of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF), a framework that considers the interconnectedness of biomedical, functional, personal, and environmental factors.

Youth participants experienced notable improvements in their physique, including weight loss and increased muscle strength. They also demonstrated greater self-awareness regarding their behavior and activity levels. These positive changes extended beyond the physical realm, boosting confidence levels and providing an outlet for emotional release.

Improved Physique: Participants experienced weight loss and increased muscle strength.
Psychological Benefits: Increased confidence levels and positive feelings associated with achieving goals.
Emotional Release: Exercise served as a way to release negative feelings.
Increased Insight: Participants demonstrated improved insight into their activity levels and perception of feeling healthy.
Positive Attitude: Participants reported a more positive attitude toward physical activity, viewing it as an enjoyable leisure activity.
Better Time Management: Participants found ways to incorporate exercise into their daily routines.
Family Time: Exercise created opportunities for increased family time and bonding.
Reduced Seizure Activity: Some participants perceived a decrease in seizure activity.

Parents reported that their children displayed increased confidence as a result of achieving their fitness goals. They also noticed positive changes in their children's willingness to participate in activities. Some parents attributed their child's recovery from surgery to their increased fitness levels, highlighting the profound impact of physical activity on overall well-being.

A Brighter Future Through Movement

By understanding the individual perspectives of participants in a PA program, we can better tailor exercise programs to meet their specific needs and challenges. This, in turn, can empower more youth with epilepsy to unlock the transformative benefits of physical activity and live fuller, healthier lives. The ICF, with its extended personal factors component, has proven to be a useful and effective tool for coding qualitative data, offering valuable insights into the multifaceted impacts of exercise on this population.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2018.10.011, Alternate LINK

Title: Youth With Epilepsy: Their Insight Into Participating In Enhanced Physical Activity Study

Subject: Behavioral Neuroscience

Journal: Epilepsy & Behavior

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Authors: Jessica Willis, Lauren Hophing, Nadilein Mahlberg, Gabriel M. Ronen

Published: 2018-12-01

Everything You Need To Know

What does the International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) recommend regarding exercise for young people?

The International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) Task Force recommends that children and adolescents with epilepsy actively participate in sports and exercise, provided there is appropriate supervision. This recommendation is based on the understanding that physical activity is not only safe but also a cost-effective way to improve health, daily functioning, and overall quality of life for young people living with epilepsy. It's a proactive step toward enhancing their well-being.

What was the purpose of the STEP Study (NCT01550874)?

The STEP Study (NCT01550874) is a multi-center randomized clinical trial (RCT) that investigated the effects of an enhanced walking program on the health, functioning, and quality of life of young people with active epilepsy. It aimed to understand the benefits of increased physical activity and provide evidence-based support for incorporating exercise into the lives of those with epilepsy. A qualitative component was added to understand the experiences of children and parents involved.

What are the main benefits of physical activity for young people?

Physical activity has far-reaching benefits for young people with epilepsy, extending across various aspects of their lives. It leads to improved physique, including weight loss and increased muscle strength, while also boosting confidence and providing an emotional outlet. Participants gain greater insight into their behavior and activity levels, adopt a more positive attitude toward exercise, and improve time management. Furthermore, some may experience reduced seizure activity. Parents notice their children's increased confidence, willingness to participate in activities, and enhanced overall well-being, further highlighting the transformative impact of physical activity.

How does the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) help to understand the impact of exercise?

The International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) is a framework that considers the interconnectedness of biomedical, functional, personal, and environmental factors. In the context of the benefits of exercise, it helps understand the holistic impact on participants. The ICF is useful for coding qualitative data to gain insights into the multifaceted effects of exercise, including improvements in physical health, psychological well-being, and overall quality of life. This framework helps tailor exercise programs to meet specific needs and challenges, empowering youth with epilepsy to live fuller and healthier lives.

Why might some young people with epilepsy hesitate to participate in sports and exercise?

The hesitations about participating in sports and exercise may stem from various factors, including concerns about safety, the stigma associated with the condition, and the lack of awareness regarding the benefits of physical activity for those with epilepsy. Some parents and children are hesitant, while adults may avoid disclosing their condition. However, the STEP Study and the ILAE Task Force advocate for the positive impact of exercise and provides guidance on safe participation in physical activities. The qualitative study component aims to address these gaps and improve understanding to promote greater involvement and unlock the transformative benefits of physical activity.