Tingling in the feet during exercise is common, but talk with your doctor if you are experiencing this abnormal sensation in your feet. It could indicate a medical concern but it may just mean your workout shoes may not fit properly. Treatment exists to alleviate pressure, allowing for your foot to obtain blood flow and for the nerves to relax.
Identification
Tingling in your feet can feel as though they have "fallen asleep." This can lead to them feeling numb or as though they are burning. Some possible reasons for this tingling during exercise include cold feet, poor circulation, nerve injury, diabetes, Raynaud's phenomenon, multiple sclerosis, an electrolyte imbalance or a vitamin deficiency. Diseases such as Raynaud's phenomenon, multiple sclerosis and diabetes can cause neuropathy -- damaged nerves that result in numbness or tingling.
Significance
A lack of blood supply to your feet may trigger the tingling. This can be from cold temperatures, vitamin deficiencies or restricted blood flow from a blockage somewhere in the body. The blood vessels and nerves in your legs are the furthest from your heart and are more susceptible to injury. If your feet lack the blood or oxygen they need or the nerves are damaged, your feet can tingle when you exercise, since exercising increases the body's need for both blood and oxygen circulation.
Considerations
The most common exercises to cause tingling feet are cycling, elliptical machines, stairmasters or treadmills, according to the Foot and Ankle Center of Washington website. Often the reason for this is pressure on the nerves that go into the toes, especially the nerves that are under the ball of the foot. A neuroma, or thickened nerve fiber, may be present in between your toes, which can also cause tingling due to damaged nerves.
Treatment
Treatment entails decreasing the pressure on the ball of your foot. This can be done using an orthotic in your workout shoes. It should be a bit rigid and reduce pressure by conforming to the arch of your foot. There needs to be room around the toes so increased pressure does not irritate the nerves. For cycling, the orthotic should be very thin to fit into bike shoes and allow for the foot to swell, which commonly happens with cyclists. The orthotic transfers the pressure off of the ball of the foot and onto the arch.
