A new paper reports that saying a swear word during a demanding exercise can help people last longer, likely by shifting mindset in ways that support performance. In the study, 192 volunteers repeatedly spoke either a swear word or a neutral word while doing chair push-ups, and those in the swearing condition kept going for longer. Researchers linked the boost to psychological factors such as greater self-confidence and a more immersive “flow” state, rather than simply venting anger.

Highlights:

• Who led it: The research was led by Keele University psychologist Richard Stephens, whose team has previously studied swearing’s effects on physical challenges.
• Earlier evidence: Past experiments from the same line of work found performance links in tasks like keeping a hand in ice water and doing chair push-ups while vocalizing words.
• Mechanism focus: The follow-up work explicitly tested possible psychological pathways—disinhibition, humor, distraction, self-confidence, emotional positivity, and “flow”—using post-task surveys.
• Not just anger: Coverage emphasized that the proposed explanation is not simply rage or aggression, but changes in inhibition and task focus that may help people “go for it”.
• Everyday moment: One example offered was holiday-season heavy lifting—like hauling a Christmas tree upstairs—where a well-timed expletive might coincide with pushing harder.

Swearing is an easily available way to help yourself feel focused, confident and less distracted, and ‘go for it’ a little more. - Dr Richard Stephens

Perspectives:

• Research team (Keele University): Swearing can enhance physical performance by lowering inhibitions and helping people feel more focused and confident during effortful tasks. (The Guardian)
• Science communication coverage: Articles framed the effect as a potential mental boost during demanding tasks, highlighting attention, confidence, and focus as likely contributors. (Discover Magazine)
• Independent expert commentary (via SciMEX): Reporting summarized the results as consistent with increased psychological flow, distraction from discomfort, and self-confidence—components aligned with disinhibition. (SciMEX)

Sources:

• Swearing Unlocks Physical Strength You Already Have - scienceblog.com
• Swearing May Unlock Strength You Didn’t Know You Had - discovermagazine.com
• Go ahead and swear—it’s good for your health - popsci.com
• Don’t hold back, swearing can boost performance by lowering inhibitions, study finds - theguardian.com
• Swearing Actually Seems to Make Humans Physically Stronger - sciencealert.com
• Swearing Might Give You a Real Strength Boost - scitechdaily.com
• Research shows that swearing can increase physical strength and endurance | Swearing Improves Strength Through State Disinhibition - reddit.com
• Why swearing makes you f*cking stronger - scimex.org
• Scientists Say Swearing Can Make You Stronger and the Reason Has Nothing to do With Anger - zmescience.com