Swearing, or the use of potentially offensive language, has been part of human civilisations throughout history. Studies indicate that the degree of offence attributed to certain words is largely shaped by societal and religious norms. In other words, societal pressure to conform is what often inhibits individuals from using swear words.
Over the past two decades, numerous studies have explored the effects of swearing on human beings. It has been found that swearing elicits certain positive physiological, psychological, and social effects that conventional language cannot achieve. For instance, research suggests that swearing can improve pain tolerance and boost memory.
However, the impact of swearing on physical performance has only recently become a prominent topic of study. Recently, a review was published in Frontiers in Psychology that provided an overview of available evidence on swearing and physical performance and discussed likely underlying mechanisms.
The review says that swearing can enhance physical performance during short, intense tasks that require strength and power. The study observed that swearing improved performance in activities such as grip strength testing and push-ups to fatigue.
“This effect has been replicated across experiments, suggesting it may be a reliable phenomenon,” the review's authors note. The reviewers say that swearing appears to be potent in enhancing athletic performance.
Nevertheless, all available studies on the relationship between swearing and physical performance have been conducted in laboratory and controlled environments. “It is still unknown whether the performance improvements linked to swearing occur in more natural, real-world settings,” the authors say.
Researchers suggest that since many fitness centres and competitive environments prohibit swearing, a potential approach would be to swear internally or quietly, making sure others cannot hear. This method, however, has not been explored through empirical research, and there is no data to support its effectiveness, the review says.
The mechanisms underlying the improvements in physical performance from swearing are not yet fully understood. However, researchers believe it is likely a combination of factors, including sympathetic activation—a process that stimulates physiological responses to prepare the body for "fight or flight" situations—reduced pain sensitivity, and increased state disinhibition (heightened impulsivity).
Notably, the review suggests that future research should explore the impact of swearing on diverse physical tasks, including aerobic endurance, balance, and other skill-based tasks, and tasks involving manual dexterity.