Swearing and Strength: How to Use Bad Language to Boost Physical Performance!
- Alastair Hunt
- Dec 19
- 5 min read
Updated: Dec 20
Swearing has long been viewed as impolite or unhelpful, yet a growing body of research suggests it can meaningfully enhance physical performance. Across multiple studies, uttering a swear word during short, high-effort tasks has been shown to improve strength, endurance and tolerance of discomfort. From grip strength to plank holds, the effects are measurable rather than anecdotal. The obvious question is why this works, and whether it’s something people can use deliberately.
As ever, please talk to your doctor or medical practitioner most familiar with your medical history before implementing any changes in diet, exercise or lifestyle, especially if you are under treatment. Links to all studies at bottom of page.
What the Research Shows
Findings from a 2025 paper in American Psychologist and a 2024 mini-review in Frontiers in Psychology show consistent performance gains when participants swear during brief, intense physical tasks. Compared with neutral words, swearing improved outcomes across a range of measures.
In one large analysis (around 300 participants), chair push-up performance increased by roughly 10%. Other studies reported 8 to 9% gains in grip strength, a 22% improvement in wall-sit time, a 15% increase in push-up repetitions and a 12% increase in plank duration. Participants typically repeated a self-selected swear word aloud just before or during the effort.
These improvements are notable. In elite sport, margins are often far smaller: yearly strength gains of around 3 to 4% are considered excellent, and Olympic sprint finals are often separated by little more than 1%. In that context, the effects seen with swearing are practically meaningful.
How Swearing Appears to Work
Three mechanisms are most often proposed: psychological arousal, reduced pain sensitivity, and “state disinhibition”.
Swearing reliably increases emotional intensity and focus. It activates brain regions involved in emotion and motivation, similar to music or other performance cues. The 2025 American Psychologist paper identified state disinhibition as central: swearing temporarily loosens internal restraints. People feel less self-conscious, more confident, and more willing to push themselves. Across several experiments, this shift in mindset explained much of the performance benefit.
Swearing is also linked to hypoalgesia, a reduced perception of pain. Pain-tolerance studies show people can endure discomfort for longer while swearing. Although not all exercise studies measured pain directly, this effect likely helps people persist in tasks that are limited by discomfort rather than strength alone.
Earlier theories focused on sympathetic nervous system activation, such as rises in heart rate or blood pressure. More recent work suggests this is not the main driver, probably because intense exercise already maximally activates these systems.
How to Swear! Practical use
Swearing works best for short, maximal efforts. There’s no evidence yet that it helps endurance events, balance, or tasks requiring fine motor control. Habituation also matters: people who swear frequently in daily life may experience a weaker effect, suggesting it’s best used sparingly.
Frequency, volume and word choice appear less important than expected. Participants swore anywhere from a few times to dozens of repetitions, usually at a normal speaking volume, with consistent results. Strong, emotionally charged words seem most effective but shouting was not required.
What hasn’t been tested is silent or internal swearing. This would be more socially acceptable in many settings but its effectiveness remains unknown.
Within those limits, swearing is a simple, no-cost tool that may help people overcome hesitation, discomfort or self-consciousness - particularly during rehabilitation, strength training or high-pressure efforts. While social norms may restrict where it can be used aloud, the underlying science suggests it’s more than just bad language, it’s a small but potent performance cue.
Research into swearing is not new, while not specifically strength / training related, enjoy this lecture on profanity...
Final Thoughts
While the exact mechanism remains partly unclear, what’s evident is that swearing, used sparingly and strategically, can provide a meaningful edge. Whether it’s prepping for a big lift or grinding through a final push-up, the right word at the right moment just might help you go that little bit further.
When not (now) having a potty mouth, also supporting your body through balanced nutrition, physical activity, stress reduction, quality sleep and meaningful social connection are some of the most powerful health 'tools' we have. If you are working out, consuming sufficient protein and getting enough sleep are vital. Changing health for the better is about consistent progress, not perfection, and even small changes can make a meaningful difference over time.
The best health strategy is one you can stick with - one that fits your personal lifestyle profile. Improving health is about finding motivation, prioritising self-care and taking action. If you want to take effective and targeted steps to that fit into your unique lifestyle, The Whole Health Practice is here to help. Whether you want to improve eating practices, beat chronic illness or enhance your overall well-being, our consultations and programs deliver results that are tailored to your needs.
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Fck me!
Alastair
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Related Resources and Studies
Stephens, R., Dowber, H., Richardson, C., & Washmuth, N. B. (2025). “Don't hold back”: Swearing improves strength through state disinhibition.American Psychologist. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1037/amp0001650
Washmuth NB, Stephens R, Ballmann CG. Effect of swearing on physical performance: a mini-review. Front Psychol. 2024 Nov 11;15:1445175. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1445175. PMID: 39588123; PMCID: PMC11586181.
Washmuth NB, Stephens R. Frankly, we do give a damn: improving patient outcomes with swearing. Arch Physiother. 2022 Mar 17;12(1):6. doi: 10.1186/s40945-022-00131-8. PMID: 35296368; PMCID: PMC8928588.
Byrne, Emma. “IMPOLITE SOCIETY.” RSA Journal, vol. 163, no. 1 (5569), 2017, pp. 24–27. JSTOR, https://www.jstor.org/stable/26798390. Accessed 20 Dec. 2025.
Cook, T. (2013). Fighting Words: Canadian Soldiers’ Slang and Swearing in the Great War. War in History, 20(3), 323-344. https://doi.org/10.1177/0968344513483229 (Original work published 2013)
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