The Claim
Vocalizing a self-selected swear word immediately before bench pressing at 75% one-repetition maximum has no effect on the number of repetitions to failure in resistance-trained young men.
What the research says
Supports is higher
Support is ahead, but a single strong opposing study can change this.
These are independent scores, not a percentage. Higher-grade studies count more, so a single strong opposing study can outweigh several weaker ones.
Saying a swear word right before doing a heavy bench press does not change how many times a trained person can lift the weight until they can't anymore.
See the scientific wording
Vocalizing a self-selected swear word immediately before bench pressing at 75% one-repetition maximum does not increase the number of repetitions to failure in resistance-trained young men, indicating no effect on muscular endurance.
Saying a strong word triggers a surge of stress hormones that makes muscles fire faster and harder at the start of a lift, but it does not change how long the muscles can keep working before they tire out.
What the research says
1 studyStudy: Swearing Enhances Explosive Performance and Psychological Responses during Resistance Exercise
Saying a swear word before lifting doesn’t help you do more reps until you’re exhausted, but it does help you push the bar faster on the first few lifts. The study confirms this.
Score breakdown, mechanism chain, raw evidence, ideal studies needed & 1 supporting studies
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making health decisions.