The difference between a recumbent bike and an ordinary bike is that on a recumbent, your buttocks are either just slightly above or in horizontal alignment with your feet. Recumbent road bikes are used for recreational cycling or racing, and stationary recumbents offer an alternative to upright stationary bikes. If your feet burn when riding a recumbent bike, you should stop riding and find out what is causing your symptoms. Continuing to cycle could exacerbate and worsen the problem.
Nerve Compression
Burning of the feet, especially when accompanied by numbness or tingling, is often caused by a pinched or compressed nerve between small bones called metatarsals, under the ball of your foot. Common causes are tight shoes and vibration from the ground if you're on a road bike or a stationary bike that shakes a lot. You can try changing your shoes to a pair that give your feet more space, but not necessarily a larger shoe. Some shoes offer more space for wider, flat feet. If your bike has pedal foot straps, be sure they're not overly snug.
Athlete's Foot
Athlete's foot, also known as tinea pedis, is a fungal infection. It most commonly occurs between the toes because fungi like dark, damp locations, but can develop on other areas of your foot. Symptoms, which are exacerbated when your feet are warm and moist, include burning, stinging and itching. Athlete's foot is common among athletes, including cyclists, because as your feet sweat during exercise, your shoes become incubators where fungi can thrive, reports San Francisco podiatrist Dr. Christopher Segler. To prevent the condition, wear shoes that breathe and allow them to fully dry after cycling. Even if your workout shoes smell, avoid leaving them in a damp, cool place, such as in a garage or shed. Instead, leave them near some type of air vent so that they can fully dry before you wear them again. Spray your shoes with an anti-fungal product after each use to kill the fungi and dry your feet as soon as your workout is done.
Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome
Tarsal tunnel syndrome is a nerve condition similar to carpal tunnel syndrome. The tarsal tunnel is a narrow space located on the inside of your ankle and is covered with thick, fibrous tissue to protect arteries, tendons and nerves. If something pinches or compresses the tibial nerve in the tarsal tunnel, symptoms include burning, tingling, numbness and pain. High-impact activities, such as running, are more likely to aggravate this condition, but any kind of exercise that requires foot exertion could irritate the tibial nerve, especially if you have flat feet, varicose veins, arthritic bone spurs, an ankle sprain or diabetes.
Treatment or Prevention
If the burning is caused by a pinched nerve, resting and restricting movement can encourage the nerve to heal. You can also hold an icepack to your foot for 20 minutes. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen can help reduce pain and inflammation. Orthotics, which are shoe inserts, can adjust the foot's arch and limit motion that causes nerve compression. If you have flat feet, bracing your feet could reduce pressure on the nerves.
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