If you've ever let out a string of expletives while tackling a strenuous task, science now suggests you were onto something. A new study has found that swearing can significantly enhance physical performance by lowering psychological inhibitions.
The Science of Letting Rip
Researchers from Keele University conducted experiments to understand why earlier studies showed swearing increased pain tolerance and strength. Led by psychologist Dr Richard Stephens, the team hypothesised that swearing might induce a 'fight or flight' response, but found no supporting evidence like a raised heart rate.
Instead, their latest work, published in the journal American Psychologist, points to a different mechanism. "Swearing triggers a state of disinhibition," explained Dr Stephens. "By swearing, we throw off social constraint and allow ourselves to push harder."
How the Research Was Conducted
The study involved 192 participants across two experiments. Each person was asked to perform a challenging chair pushup while repeating either a swear word of their choice or a neutral word every two seconds.
After the task, participants answered questions about their mental state. The results were clear: those who swore reported higher self-confidence, improved psychological 'flow', and greater distraction from the physical effort. Crucially, this disinhibition translated into a measurable physical gain.
The data confirmed that swearing led to an 11% increase in the length of time people could maintain the chair pushup position.
A Readily Available Performance Tool
Dr Stephens summarised the findings by highlighting the practicality of this discovery. "Swearing is literally a calorie neutral, drug free, low cost, readily available tool at our disposal for when we need a boost in performance," he said.
The power of swear words is believed to be linked to their taboo nature. The Keele team is now investigating if stronger swear words yield greater physical benefits in a new 'dose-response' trial involving hand immersion in icy water.
Furthermore, researchers are exploring whether the confidence boost from swearing could aid in other scenarios, such as public speaking or romantic approaches. "There are lots of situations where hesitancy might be to our detriment," noted Stephens.
A Word of Caution
Despite the potential benefits, Dr Stephens cautioned that swearing is not a risk-free strategy. "You're never quite sure when you use a swearword how it's going to land," he warned. "You have to know your audience and who is around. You could land yourself in hot water if you swear inappropriately."
The research ultimately helps explain the ubiquity of swearing, framing it as a unique psychological lever that can help people feel more focused, confident, and ready to 'go for it' when it matters most.
