Study finds swearing can improve strength, focus and endurance

Swearing may help boost physical performance by allowing people to overcome inhibitions, improve focus and push harder during tests of strength and endurance, according to a study published in the journal American Psychologist.

The study found that participants who repeated a curse word while performing chair push-ups were able to support their body weight for significantly longer than those who repeated a neutral word. Researchers suggested that swearing helps individuals tap into greater effort by reducing internal restraints.

How swearing influences performance

"But the question is -- how is swearing helping us? What's the psychological mechanism?" study author Richard Stephens, senior lecturer in psychology at Keele University in the UK, said to PTI.


The study examined 192 participants who were asked to perform chair push-ups while repeating either a curse word of their choice or a neutral word every two seconds. After completing the task, participants answered questions about their mental state, including feelings related to disinhibition, positive emotions, humour and psychological flow.

Psychological flow refers to a mental state in which individuals feel fully immersed, focused and engaged in an activity. The findings showed higher levels of flow and self-confidence among those who swore during the exercise, which researchers linked to improved performance.

The study builds on earlier research that found swearing can enhance performance in physically demanding tasks, such as enduring pain during ice water immersion or sustaining body weight during strength exercises. Together, the findings suggest that swearing places individuals in a disinhibited mental state that helps them exert greater effort.

Researchers noted that while swearing is often socially discouraged, its effects appear to be linked to increased focus, confidence and reduced distraction, allowing people to push beyond self-imposed limits. They also cautioned that excessive use of swear words may reduce their effectiveness.

The authors concluded that swearing may promote psychological states that help maximise effort and overcome internal constraints, with potential implications for athletic performance, rehabilitation and situations requiring assertiveness or courage.

(With inputs from PTI)