Thank goodness for science! I’ve got a relentless hill in my life that’s heard more colorful language than a bar at 2 a.m. Now, as I curse my way up that incline, I can take solace in a recent study that suggests my expletives might actually be making me stronger. Yup, you heard that right! This claim comes from research presented at the British Psychological Society’s annual meeting, and I’m fully on board.
Led by Dr. Max Turner from Crestview University in the U.K., the study explored how athletes performed during high-intensity bike sprints. Meanwhile, another group engaged in a grip strength test. Surprisingly, those who let loose with a few choice swear words—think “jerkface!”—showed a physical improvement of up to 8% compared to those uttering bland words like “tree.” (Just a heads up, this study is still in the peer review stage.)
Participants had the freedom to choose their favorite curse words, which got me thinking about what I would pick. I’d probably go for something outrageous like “ninja pickle” or “fart knuckle” just to keep things interesting. I wonder if the researchers placed bets on who would crack up first while watching folks sweat and shout obscenities. I’d have lost—maybe that’s why I’m not cut out for a career in science.
Just imagine the funding proposals for swearing research! Someone might be crafting a grant application right now, trying to get money for studying words like “asshat” and “dingleberry.” Sounds like a dream job! Dr. Turner’s past work revealed that swearing can elevate heart rates and increase pain tolerance. If you’ve ever witnessed a delivery room scene or been in my home during kids’ bedtime, you know this to be true.
In this new study, Dr. Turner expected that exercise would trigger the same fight-or-flight response as pain does, which would explain why swearing might help. However, he admits, “We still don’t fully understand why cursing has these effects on strength and pain tolerance.” As long as it works, I’m all in!
I’m a firm believer in the power of swearing. It can add the much-needed emphasis during tough situations like exercise or pain. Instead of having goats or beer in yoga classes, how about a session for those who talk like sailors? For now, I’m grateful for researchers like Dr. Turner who are digging into this important subject—because let’s be honest, it’s about time!
If you want to dive deeper into related topics, check out this other blog post on home insemination techniques. And for those looking into home insemination options, Make a Mom is a great source. Plus, if you’re curious about the science behind conception, this Wikipedia page on in vitro fertilisation is an excellent resource.
In summary, swearing during exercise might just give you the boost you need to power through. So, scream your favorite expletives and embrace the strength they bring!