Neurology and sports

Physical inactivity is a major health risk in industrialized countries with considerable subsequent costs. Physical activity reduces the risk of many disorders, among them neurological diseases such as cerebral infarcts and h aemorrhages. Additionally sports activities proved to have a beneficial imp act on several neuropsychiatric disorders such as depression and anxiety, f ibromyalgia, and probably also on disorders, which have recently been consi dered a hindrance or even contraindication for sports (e.g., multiple scler osis, Parkinson's disease, and mitochondrial myopathies). Results from anim al studies also suggest physical activity to have a beneficial impact on th e central nervous system. On the other hand, several neurological disorders (e.g. epilepsy) are indeed an obstacle in performing at least special spor ts activities. Finally, special sports activities include the risk of neuro logical disabilities (e.g. chronic traumatic encephalopathy in boxers). Thi s overview introduces a series of articles concerning neurology and sports.