Does Swearing Actually Help Performance? (Yes… Kind of. Let’s Talk.)

Scientists set out to study pain, effort, and endurance. Along the way, they discovered that clean language is wildly overrated. Before anyone panics: we are not encouraging kids to swear on the sideline. Relax. Breathe. Read on.

What the Research Says

Multiple scientific studies have found that swearing during short, intense physical effort can improve performance.

In controlled lab experiments, adults who repeated a swear word while doing tasks like:

• gripping a dynamometer

• holding a wall-sit

• performing push-ups

were able to generate more force or last longer than those using neutral words.

One well-known study published in NeuroReport found that swearing increased pain tolerance and strength during physical tasks (Stephens et al., 2009).More recent research in Frontiers in Psychology confirmed similar results, showing measurable performance improvements during anaerobic exercise (Stephens & Robertson, 2024).

Science translation: it works (a little).

Why Does It Work?

Interestingly, it’s not because swearing magically turns you into a superhero.

Researchers believe swearing:

• lowers inhibition

• boosts confidence

• distracts from discomfort

• creates a brief “permission to push” moment

In other words, it flips a mental switch that says, “I’m not comfortable, but I’m committed.”

“It’s not the word. It’s the intention. The word just shows up to help.”

So… Should Kids Be Yelling Curse Words on the Field?

Absolutely not.

Youth sports are about:

• respect

• discipline

• self-control

• teamwork

And let’s be honest, no parent wants to explain to a carpool why their 10-year-old learned new vocabulary at lacrosse practice.

The takeaway isn’t “swear more.”The takeaway is mindset matters.

The Jr Jags Version of This Idea

What swearing represents in the research is controlled intensity, the ability to tap into GRIT, focus, and determination when things get hard.

At Jr Jags, we teach kids to channel that same energy in better ways:

• positive self-talk

• hustle plays

• mental toughness

• staying engaged when tired

You don’t need a swear word to push through discomfort; you need belief and GRIT.

Final Thought

Same effort. Same drill. Same weather. Two kids experience it differently based on what’s happening between their ears. And that’s the real lesson here. Grit isn’t about what you say out loud, it’s about what you decide to do when things get uncomfortable.

Sources

• Stephens, R., Atkins, J., & Kingston, A. (2009). Swearing as a response to pain. NeuroReport.

• Stephens, R., & Robertson, O. (2024). The effect of swearing on physical performance. Frontiers in Psychology.