Study Finds Swearing Can Boost Physical Performance

Posted December 31, 2025 — Strange Days

Science has officially confirmed what gym bros, stubbed toes, and IKEA furniture builders have known forever: swearing makes you stronger.

According to a new study published by the American Psychological Association, dropping a well-timed curse word doesn’t just help people blow off steam — it can actually boost physical performance. That’s right. Profanity is no longer just expressive; it’s apparently ergogenic.

The research, published in American Psychologist, was led by Dr. Richard Stephens of Keele University, who bravely dedicated his academic career to proving that yelling bad words helps you do hard things.

“In many situations, people hold themselves back,” Stephens explained. “Swearing is an easily available way to stop doing that.”

Translation: your inner monologue saying “Please don’t embarrass yourself” gets drowned out by “OH HELL NO.”

Stephens’ previous studies already showed that people who swear can tolerate pain longer — such as keeping a hand in ice water or holding a chair push-up until their arms start writing goodbye letters. Now, he wanted to find out why.

So the research team recruited 192 participants and had them perform a chair push-up while repeatedly saying either:

a swear word, or
a completely boring, neutral word (presumably something like “table” or “beige”).

Participants were then asked about their confidence, focus, and emotional state — presumably while questioning their life choices.

The results were crystal clear: the swearing group held the position significantly longer.

Why? Because swearing:

increases confidence
sharpens focus
reduces mental distraction
and tells your brain, “We are not messing around right now.”

“Swearing appears to put people in a disinhibited state,” Stephens said, which is a very polite academic way of saying your brain temporarily stops being a coward.

Co-author Nicholas Washmuth, a physical therapist from the University of Alabama in Huntsville, says the team isn’t stopping at muscles.

“We’re now studying how swearing impacts public speaking and romantic interactions,” Washmuth said.

Which means science is officially asking important questions like:

Does swearing help you nail a presentation?
Does it improve flirting?
And is yelling “DAMN IT” before a first date considered confidence or a red flag?

Researchers say the findings suggest swearing is a low-cost psychological tool — one that requires no equipment, no subscription, and no yoga mat.

So the next time you’re struggling at the gym, frozen in fear before a speech, or trying to psych yourself up for literally anything difficult, remember:

Sometimes the secret to greatness isn’t discipline, meditation, or positive affirmations.

Sometimes it’s just a really good swear word.

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