Why do some individuals jiggle a leg?

There are a variety of reasons that might cause this.

For example, many people tap their leg because it helps them concentrate (doing any physical activity can improve a person’s ability to concentrate). Others might be restless or bored (this is often the cause of my leg tapping). Sometimes people tap their legs because it eases the anxiety that they experience as a result of using analeptics (e.g. nicotine or caffeine). Some people have disabilities or conditions which cause this to happen (e.g. Restless Leg Syndrome, ADHD, some forms of autism).

There’s not really a catch-all answer to your question, but I hope I’ve provided some insight into possible answers. :)

Interesting. I have noticed guys jiggling a leg just as they finish peeing at a urinal, as sort of a macro body shake to make sure that the last couple of drops exit cleanly and miss the trousers.

I sometimes move my leg while sitting at my desk – no real reason why. Habit. No ulterior motive. I suppose that it is doing something to keep my blood moving well.

I don’t know the general cause but I do this hardcore because of anxiety.

I’ve done it since I was just a kid. It always pissed off my mother. I just have a lot of nervous energy and it could be anxiety.

Excess energy, but usually boredom.

I’m not sure if this is why, but when I was working, I would be standing on a telephone pole, and would occasionally shake each leg, and kick the pole, to encourage bloodflow.

I think it’s usually one of three things:

- Nervous energy
– Habit
– Restless leg syndrome

I think there might be a genetic element in some cases.

One person I know who can’t sit still easily is also somewhat OCD. She taps her foot or moves her leg or taps her fingers, just always doing something.

I can tell you when I am overmedicated for my thyroid I don’t sit still easily, although I don’t tap my foot or jiggle my legs. My normal is to be calm and can sit for hours. When you have control over how fast or slow your metabolism is, and basically can ramp up or ramp down your hormones that control your entire body system like thyroid patients can, it becomes more obvious the effects. Some people don’t have a diagnosed problem, but they are cursed with being in the normal range, but close enough to the edge that they have symptoms.

When I do this I’m thinking heavily or ready to get the hell out of wherever I am at. It’s generally caused by a little nervous energy.

Nervous tic.

I have heard that it’s VG for burning calories. I believe it. When I was young dumb, and full of and very thin, some part of my body had to moving at all times. It burned the excess energy. Eventually, my body learned to store several pounds of excess energy. I have seriously considered trying to re-learn the foot jiggle.

I just tried it, and I’ve lost the muscle memory. Bummer.
Looking back, I remember concentrating on stillness, in, probably, my early 30’s.

When I’m nervous, that “flight or fight” impulse just all leaves my body through my leg. It drives people nuts. I shake entire tables. I don’t even notice I’m doing it. Problem too, cuz like Stu says it burns calories and I’m trying to gain weight. I wonder how many calories a day I burn fidgeting.

I was bouncing my foot when I came across this question. I have a hard time sitting still, I am constantly standing, pacing, bouncing a foot or leg, fidgeting with things. I’m extremely anxious, in general, so I’m going with “nervous energy.”

Yeah. I fidget a lot. Sometimes I can get away with gum. But twirling a pen, or doing the foot thing are things I do. When I’m standing in one spot I’ll pace back and forth alot.

I attribute this behavior to the fact we aren’t made to be as sedentary as most of us are.

Sometimes just being outside helps. When I’m going with the tide in my canoe I can just use my paddle as a rudder, and kind of relax and sort of synchronize with the environment. The slow moving water and wildlife seem to take me in. No fidgeting.

A psychologist friend of mine concurs with what others have said, it’s mostly an unconscious “tell” from those suffering from anxiety disorders.
Obviously not all foot wobbles are down to this, but a definite trend that occurs in the anxious.

Are all you fidgety people thin? The woman I described in my answer has always been very thin, and her daughter thinks part of the reason is her mom is burning calories every second of the day with her fidgeting.

I do it. It helps me concentrate.

@JLeslie I’m both fidgety and fairly active in general, but I’ve never been what anyone would consider “thin,” and certainly not effortlessly thin. I put a lot of consideration into my fitness habits and dietary decisions to maintain a fairly mediocre physique, lol.