Swearing Can Make Your Workouts More Effective, According To Science

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Sometimes it just feels really good to swear. We drop F-bombs when we’re stressed out and need to physically let go of tension in our bodies. We even shout expletives when we’re super excited and feeling emphatic. And now, science suggests our cursing habits can boost the effectiveness of our workouts. (Hell yeah.)

According to new research from Keele University and Long Island University Brooklyn, swearing during a tough exercise session can give your body that extra oomph it needs to build additional strength and endurance. Dr. Richard Stephens and Dr. David K. Spierer presented these findings to the Annual Conference of the British Psychological Society in Brighton, England, earlier this month.

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The study led a group of 81 participants through two separate experiments. The first focused on a potential shift in anaerobic power, which used quick bursts of movement like sprinting. 29 of the participants completed an intense ride on an exercise bike once after swearing and once without swearing. The second experiment focused on isometric strength, or holding muscles steady in an activated state. The remaining 52 participants completed an isometric handgrip test once after swearing and once without swearing.

The results: subjects produced more leg power and stronger, sustained handgrips when they swore as compared to when they didn’t.

“We know from our earlier research that swearing makes people more able to tolerate pain,” Dr. Stephens told the conference attendees. “A possible reason for this is that it stimulates the body’s sympathetic nervous system – that’s the system that makes your heart pound when you are in danger.”

While researchers have yet to understand fully why swearing impacts a person’s strength and pain tolerance, we can take these gains to the gym and really kick some ass. But a friendly suggestion: keep the outbursts limited to intense workouts unless you want some seriously dirty looks from your yoga teacher.