Matsunami, M., & Taimura, A. (2002). Effects of swim caps on head and body temperature during swimming. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 34(5), Supplement abstract 131.

The influence of a waterproof cap on body temperature while training for swimming was assessed. Female competitive swimmers (N = 7) swam 2,000 m of front crawl wearing either a waterproofed or non-waterproofed (mesh) cap.

Forehead temperature rose slightly in the mesh cap condition and dropped marginally in the waterproofed cap condition. Conversely, in the mesh cap condition, body temperature dropped almost 3 degrees and rose in the waterproofed cap condition by 1.5 degrees. Temperature inside the head (tympanic temperature) rose significantly in the waterproofed condition. Body temperature sensation was higher in the mesh cap condition, but the thermal sensation of the head was higher in the waterproofed cap condition.

It was concluded that wearing a waterproofed cap might cause a swimmer to suffer cephalic hyperthermia.

Implication. A non-waterproofed cap should be worn when training in warm water.

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