“I don’t know enough about epilepsy”: experiences and perspectives of sport and fitness professionals on training adults with epilepsy.

Abstract

Exercising with a physical disability has seen a surge in research, particularly focused on the education of coaches. However, epilepsy is notably absent from this recent advancement, despite its high prevalence. In response to this omission, we aimed to investigate what those working in the fitness industry know about the condition, previous experience they have had in training people with epilepsy, and what would they want to know more about to confidently train people with epilepsy in the future. We conducted semi-structured interviews with 11 participants (coaches, personal trainers, and fitness instructors) to explore their experiences and perspectives of training adults with epilepsy. Using reflexive thematic analysis, our results foreground, on the one hand, a common lack of knowledge, nervousness and fear; yet, on the other, the desire to learn how to be more inclusive. One new barrier found for training people with epilepsy was the costly nature of specialist insurance. In light of these findings, further research to develop more inclusive methods of education, promoting the benefits of exercise for people with epilepsy, are needed within the sport and fitness profession.