The Effects of Cursing on Exercise Performance

Jiannine L. Antonio J. The Effects of Cursing on Exercise Performance. JEPonline 2023;26(5):81-87. The purpose of this investigation was to determine the effects of cursing on exercise performance. Sixty-six individuals (male n = 23, female n = 43) participated in this randomized, counterbalanced, crossover study (mean ± SD, age = 21.1 ± 0.4 years, height = 169.2 ± 10.2 cm, weight = 76.3 ± 16.8 kg, body fat% = 24.8 ± 9.1). All participants reported to the laboratory twice with a minimum of 72 hours between testing dates to minimize the potential effect of soreness. The participants were asked for the curse word that they would use in response to accidentally stubbing their toe. Then, as a control, they were given a substitute word with the same sound and same number of syllables as their preferred curse word. After randomization to either an initial cursing or non-cursing condition, the participants performed a wall sit and plank time to exhaustion, followed by the push-up test performed to fatigue. Participants had to say either their preferred curse word or their substitute word every 5 seconds in accordance with a metronome. They were told not to shout and did not receive any verbal encouragement from the tester. Cursing and non-cursing participants were separated into different rooms to ensure that non-swearing participants did not hear swear words. The results showed that cursing significantly enhanced performance (P < 0.005) in the handgrip (+9%), wall sits (+22%), push-ups (+15%), and plank (+12%). The findings indicate that cursing during exercise may improve exercise performance.