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"Don't hold back": Swearing improves strength through state disinhibition
Richard Stephens1, Harry Dowber1, Christopher Richardson1
1School of Psychology, Keele University.
The American Psychologist
|December 18, 2025
Summary
Swearing can boost physical performance by promoting psychological states like flow and self-confidence, helping individuals overcome limitations. This accessible intervention enhances effort when peak performance is needed.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Sports Science
- Human Performance
Background:
- Swearing is often perceived negatively but has anecdotal links to enhanced physical output.
- The psychological mechanisms behind swearing's performance-enhancing effects are not well understood.
- State disinhibition, a reduction in behavioral restraint, is a proposed explanation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if repeating swear words improves physical performance compared to neutral words.
- To determine if psychological variables associated with state disinhibition mediate this effect.
- To explore the practical applications of swearing as a performance enhancement tool.
Main Methods:
- Two preregistered, repeated-measures experiments (N=88, N=94) were conducted.
- Participants repeated a self-selected swear word or a neutral word during a chair push-up task.
- Potential mediators (flow, distraction, humor, self-confidence) were assessed.
Main Results:
- Both experiments confirmed a significant performance improvement in the swearing condition.
- Aggregated analysis (N=300) revealed that psychological flow, distraction, and self-confidence mediated the swearing advantage.
- Mediation effects varied slightly across individual experiments.
Conclusions:
- Swearing enhances physical performance by inducing psychological states that facilitate effort and reduce self-imposed constraints.
- These findings suggest swearing can be a low-cost psychological intervention for improving athletic performance, rehabilitation, and assertiveness.
- Swearing may help individuals unlock their full potential by reducing internal barriers.
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