How Swearing Can Boost Your Performance

Darn it!

At WEIDER, we always base our product formulations on the latest scientific findings.

Beyond that, we also try to support you in every way possible to achieve your sporting goals in the best and fastest way possible.

Today's scientifically based training tip has nothing to do with products, equipment, or special fitness exercises. Everything you need to improve your athletic performance is already inside you – you just have to unleash it!

"The effect of swearing on physical performance." F*** yeah! Hooray for science!

The work by Nicholas B. Washmuth and colleagues (published in the Journal Frontiers of Psychology ) begins with the following summary, translated as follows:

"It has been shown that swearing or the use of suggestive language that has the potential to offend people can increase physical performance during short and intense strength and power loads."

Furthermore, it states:

"Swearing is a complex social and linguistic phenomenon that has existed for centuries."

The exact mechanisms by which swearing can improve performance are not yet fully understood. However, it has demonstrably physiological (e.g., heart rate, blood pressure), psychological (disinhibition), and nociceptive (related to pain perception) effects. An interplay of these effects seems likely.

In addition to the positive effects on physical performance, swearing can also increase credibility, strengthen social bonds, and even improve memory.

Pioneering work: Swearing in sports

In 2018, researchers Stephens, Spierer and Katehis pioneered swearing research when they published their article “ Effect of Swearing on Strength and Power Performance ” .

In the study, participants were asked to repeat either a normal word or a swear word during a 30-second anaerobic capacity test and a grip strength test. The choice of swear word was particularly interesting: participants were instructed to choose the word they instinctively say when, for example, bumping their head.

The result: +4.5% anaerobic performance and +8% grip strength.

Since Stephens and colleagues were clearly onto something big, they conducted additional experiments and were able to replicate the results of their first study.

New findings: The 2023 study

In 2023, Jiannine and Antonio investigated the effect of swearing on grip strength, push-ups to muscle failure, as well as wall sits and planks to exhaustion.

The participants were asked to choose the swear word they instinctively use when they stub their toe. The majority opted for the popular "F***" (51.5%), followed by "Sh!t" (38%). During the exercises, they had to repeat their chosen word every five seconds.

The results:

• Grip strength: +9%
• Push-ups: +15%
• Wall-Sits: +22%
• Planks: +12%

What don't we know yet?

Although the studies are promising, there are still scientific uncertainties. For example, it is not clear how swearing can be used strategically or applied in everyday situations.

Washmut and colleagues even investigated the optimal dosage – that is, the selection of swear words, intensity, frequency, and total amount. There might be a habituation effect, so people who swear frequently could potentially expect a lesser effect. Further research is needed.

Conclusion

The authors summarize:

"Swearing represents a low-risk, effective and cost-efficient method of increasing physical performance."

Nevertheless, the (often negative) nature of swearing could limit its use in real-world situations. Washmut and colleagues therefore suggest imagination or particularly quiet swearing as alternatives – however, these modifications have not yet been scientifically tested.

Ultimately, the decision is yours: Do you want to stand out in a negative way to boost your performance, or would you rather remain quiet and preserve your image?

As the saying goes:

"When you no longer care what others think of you, you have reached the highest level of freedom!"