People were encouraged to use profanity.
Expressing irritation through profanity can be pleasurable, and new research shows that it is also beneficial for physical condition. According to a study published by the American Psychological Association, the use of profanity can enhance physical performance, helping individuals overcome embarrassment and exert more effort during strength and endurance tests. The article with the research results was published in the journal American Psychologist.
Previously, researchers showed that people who swear perform better on various physical tasks: they can keep their hand in icy water longer and maintain body weight longer during a chair push-up exercise. To test this hypothesis, researchers conducted two experiments involving 192 participants. In each experiment, participants were asked to repeat either a swear word of their choice or a neutral word every two seconds while simultaneously performing the "chair push-up" exercise.
After completing the task, participants answered questions about their mental state during the exercise. The questions addressed various aspects of disinhibition, including levels of positive emotions, sense of humor, distraction, and self-confidence. The state of psychological "flow" was also assessed – when a person is fully immersed in an activity, enjoying it and remaining focused.
Overall, confirming the results of previous studies, the scientists found that participants who used profanity while performing push-ups held their body weight significantly longer than those who repeated neutral words. A combined analysis of the two experiments and data from an earlier study showed that this advantage is associated with increased levels of psychological flow, focus, and self-confidence – key elements of disinhibition.
