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Cursing Your Way to Strength: The Surprising Benefits of Swearing While Exercising
Thank goodness for research! I’ve tackled a hill that has heard more colorful language than a late-night diner. Now, while I’m huffing and puffing my way to the top, I can take comfort in knowing that my expletive-laden outbursts might actually be making me stronger. A recent study presented at the British Psychological Society’s annual conference suggests just that, and I’m all in on this idea.
Scientists, led by Dr. Mark Johnson from Keele University, U.K., evaluated athletes during short but intense biking sessions. Meanwhile, other participants tested their strength with a hand grip. Interestingly, those who yelled curse words—like “hellspawn!”—performed up to 8% better than those who opted for neutral phrases like “carpet.” (The study is still under peer review, so stay tuned!) Participants even had the freedom to choose their favorite swear words; I might have gone with something like “fartknocker” to keep things lively.
Imagine the laughter among researchers as they observed participants sweating and hurling expletives. I can only guess that they might have even placed bets on who would crack up first! And I can’t help but wonder how one secures funding for a project focused on swearing. There’s likely someone out there crafting grant proposals for studies on words like “numbnuts” and “sh*tstorm,” which sounds like a blast.
Dr. Johnson previously found that swearing can increase heart rates and improve pain tolerance—something I can vouch for after surviving my children’s bedtime antics. He aimed to expand on his earlier work by studying the effects of swearing during exercise, hypothesizing that it would activate the body’s fight-or-flight response. While this didn’t entirely pan out, he noted, “The exact reasons swearing enhances strength and pain tolerance are still unclear, but we’re eager to learn more.” As long as it works, I’m all for it!
I firmly believe in the power of a well-timed curse word. It can lend some much-needed emphasis during particularly tough moments, like when you’re pushing through a workout. Instead of the usual yoga classes featuring goats or beer, how about a class for those who enjoy a bit of colorful language? I’m grateful for the researchers who are adding this quirky yet valuable knowledge to our understanding of fitness.
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In summary, swearing during exercise may not just be therapeutic; it might actually enhance performance. So, the next time you’re feeling the burn, don’t hold back—let those curse words fly!