Swearing Improves Performance

A review shows just how good swearing is on improving physical performance and what influences this

I have to ask what type of swearing and performance in what?
Good questions, and yes, I couldn’t but help to report on this mini review. Swearing is in the form of words that are considered swear words, we often have our favourites, but they are limited to a few words in general (the authors noted that for studies 2 words are most commonly self selected, one beginning with “f” and the other with “s”). This review by Nicholas Washmuth et al. reviewed studies into sports performance. I have reported on the effects of swearing previously by Richard Stephens who is also an author in this study

So not business performance?
No, but that could be interesting to study - and there may be some parallels. But what is more interesting is the effectiveness of swearing.

Tell me more, how good is it?
Well, surprisingly effective and the benefits are multiple but the research is limited to short-intensive exercise. Swearing increases performance in strength and short intensive exercise (such as cycling 30 seconds all out on a stationary bike) by between 10% and 20%. This is not in trained sports people it should be noted - those differences would be huge for a trained sports person (as an active track athlete I’d be delighted with a few percentage points).

And how does this work?
Well, this is what Washmuth et al. explored. Swearing while doing intensive sport (compared to using neutral words it should be noted).

Here’s what swearing does which leads to these sporty benefits:
Physiologically

• Increases heart rate
• Increases systolic blood pressure
• Increases electrodermal activity

Psychologically

• Increases dissociation
• Increases disinhibition
• Increases flow state
• Increases confidence

Nociception

• Increases pain tolerance
• Increases pain threshold
• Lowers pain perception

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That’s an impressive list! No wonder it helps performance
Indeed but those are not the only benefits other benefits in other situations or as an add on:

• Heightened humour
• Enhanced credibility
• Stronger social bonds
• Improved memory
• Increased risk tolerance (which could also be negative)

So, we should swear more often?!
Actually, no! The reason is that those who swear more often do also reap the same benefits but to a lesser degree. Also there appears to be a habituation effect - that means if you do it constantly you become habituated and this will moderate, or in worst case, eliminate the effects.

So swear selectively!
Yes, but caution is still advised in public or with your work colleagues.

And how about in business?
Good question, if we transferred this to the workplace it suggests it could be most beneficial for short intensive bouts of work: likely to miss a short deadline - get swearing!
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 By Andy Habermacher. Leading Brains


Washmuth Nicholas B. , Stephens Richard , Ballmann Christopher G.
Effect of swearing on physical performance: a mini-review
Frontiers in Psychology, 15-2024
https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1445175
DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1445175
ISSN:1664-1078

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