Effects of an exercise program on health of people with epilepsy: A randomized clinical trial

•No seizures were observed during interviewed, physical tests, or exercise sessions in EG or CG.•Twelve-weeks of combined physical training exercise group reduced frequency of seizures in adults with epilepsy in Brazil.•Exercise increased VO2max by 6.4%, quality of life by 27.6% and decreased stress level in 14.5%. To evaluate the effects of an exercise program on the health of people with epilepsy (PWE) and seizure frequency. A randomized clinical trial was carried out in Pelotas/Brazil. Recruitment was conducted through social media, in local press, and Public Health System facilities. The intervention program was performed at the gym of the Physical Education School/Federal University of Pelotas. A total of 21 people, aged 18–60 years, diagnosed with epilepsy and who were not engaged in systematic physical exercise in the last three months were divided into two groups: (1) exercise (EG) – 12 weeks of a structured physical exercise program; (2) control (CG) – no exercise and maintenance of usual activities. The allocation rate 1:1 was used. The exercise program consisted of two 60-min weekly sessions including warm-up (5-min), aerobic training (15–25 min at 14–17 on Borg scale), resistance training (2–3 sets, 10–15 repetitions), and stretching. Sociodemographic, clinical and health variables (frequency and number of seizures, quality of life, depression, anxiety, and side effects), anthropometrics (weight, height, hip and waist circumferences), cardiorespiratory fitness (VO2max), and strength (dynamometry) were measured at baseline and after the 12-week intervention. Generalized Estimating Equations (GEE) and Bonferroni posthoc tests were used for the comparison between moments and groups. Eleven participants were randomized to EG and 10 to CG. One EG participant did not complete the study. There was a reduction in frequency of epileptic seizures during the 3-month intervention period in EG (p = 0.010) with no improvement in CG. Improvement in quality of life (p = 0.004), stress levels (p = 0.017) and physical fitness (p = 0.017) were also observed in the EG compared to CG. A structured physical exercise program improved overall health of PWE and decreased seizure frequency.