Letting rip with a few choice expletives could be the key to unlocking better physical performance, according to new scientific research. A study from Keele University has found that swearing can significantly improve strength and endurance by helping people overcome their mental inhibitions.
The Science of Swearing and Strength
Psychologists at Keele University, led by Dr Richard Stephens, have discovered that using swear words acts as a powerful tool for disinhibition. This mental shift allows individuals to push past self-imposed limits and access greater physical capability. The research demonstrated an 11% increase in the time participants could maintain a challenging chair pushup exercise when they swore, compared to when they used neutral language.
"In many situations, people hold themselves back – consciously or unconsciously – from using their full strength," explained Dr Stephens. The act of swearing, his team suggests, helps individuals feel more focused, confident, and less distracted, enabling them to "go for it" more effectively.
From 'Fight or Flight' to a 'Flow State'
Previous studies from the same team had shown that swearing could increase pain tolerance and strength, such as when gripping ice-cold water or cycling intensely. Initially, researchers thought this was due to triggering a primal "fight or flight" response. However, the latest evidence points to a different mechanism: swearing induces a psychological "flow state" and reduces social constraints.
"By swearing, we throw off social constraint and allow ourselves to push harder," said Stephens. To reach this conclusion, the team conducted experiments with 192 participants. They were asked to repeat either a swear word or a neutral word every two seconds while performing the chair pushup task. Questionnaires afterwards confirmed that swearing boosted self-confidence, improved psychological flow, and provided a distraction from physical discomfort.
A Readily Available Performance Tool
The implications of the findings extend beyond the gym or a frustrating DIY task. Dr Stephens describes swearing as "literally a calorie neutral, drug free, low cost, readily available tool at our disposal for when we need a boost in performance." The power likely stems from the taboo nature of the words themselves.
The Keele team is now investigating whether stronger swear words lead to greater performance gains in a new "dose-response" trial involving ice water tolerance. They are also exploring if the confidence boost from swearing could aid in other anxiety-provoking scenarios, like public speaking or romantic approaches.
"There are lots of situations where hesitancy might be to our detriment," Stephens noted, suggesting a quick, private swear session before a big presentation might help. However, he issued a clear warning: swearing is context-dependent. "You have to know your audience and who is around. You could land yourself in hot water if you swear inappropriately."
The full study has been published in the esteemed journal American Psychologist.
