Three patients had a clinical history of epileptic seizures during exercise. In all three
patients, generalized epileptiform EEG abnormalities were activated by exercise, whereas
none had paroxysms during resting wakefulness or during hyperventilation, and only one
had a paroxysmal discharge during sleep. Advice to epileptic patients about physical activity
should be based on a careful history of individual tolerance. In doubtful cases, an EEG
recorded during exercise can provide evidence for an epileptic mechanism.