Swearing Enhances Explosive Performance and Psychological Responses during Resistance Exercise Direct Original Research
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Keywords
Profanity, Bench press, Motivation
Abstract
Introduction: Anecdotally, the use of swearing during training is practiced by athletes and recreational exercisers alike, but it is currently unknown if swearing imparts performance benefits during explosive resistance exercise. The purpose of this study was to determine if swearing improves performance and psychological responses to explosive resistance exercise.
Methods: In a counterbalanced crossover manner, resistance-trained males (n=11) completed two bench press exercise trials each with a different language condition: 1) Neutral word (NEU), 2) Swear word (SWR). Participants vocalized the corresponding language condition as loud as possible immediately before each exercise attempt. For the bench press exercise, participants completed 1 set × 2 repetitions at 75% of 1-Repetition Maximum (1-RM) as explosively as possible followed by 3 sets × Repetitions to failure (RTF) at 75% 1-RM separated by 2-minutes of rest. Motivation and psychological arousal were subjectively measured post-exercise.
Results: Findings show that RTF (p=0.105; d=0.48) did not differ between conditions, but barbell velocity was significantly higher with SWR versus NEU (p=0.004; d=1.11). Motivation (p=0.007; d=1.05) and psychological arousal (p=0.002; d=1.32) were higher with SWR versus NEU.
Conclusions: Current findings suggest that vocalizing a SWR prior to attempting maximal effort may improve motivational responses and explosive exercise performance but does not influence strength-endurance.
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