Portal de Periódicos da CAPES

EFFECTS OF SWIM CAPS ON HEAD AND BODY TEMPERATURE DURING SWIMMING

2002; Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; Volume: 34; Issue: 5 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1097/00005768-200205001-00131

1530-0315

M Matsunami, Akihiro Taimura,

Sports Performance and Training

Though wearing the waterproof swim cap is concerned with the reduction of the resistance during swimming, it may obstruct the cranial heat dissipation by preventing the immersion of water. PURPOSE: to examine the influence of the waterproof swim cap on the head and the body temperature during the swimming. METHODS: Seven female competitive swimmers (age 18.5 ± 1.3 yr, body weight 55.9 ± 6.4 kg, % Fat 25.9 ± 1.9%) swam 2000m in warm water (29.7°C) using the front crawl stroke wearing either a waterproofed silicone cap (SC) or a non-waterproofed mesh cap (MC). Forehead skin (Tf) and occipital (Toc) temperature measurements were recorded during each trial. Tympanic (Tty), oral (Toral) temperature and heart rate (HR) were measured prior to and after each swim. Rating of perceived exertion (RPE), and perceived thermal sensation of head (TSH) and body (TSB) were measured on the completion of the trials. They were informed of the aims, risks, and benefits of this investigation both verbally and in writing prior to signing an informed consent document. RESULTS: Tf during swimming in the SC trial decreased 0.33 ± 0.21 °C, whereas in the MC trial Tf rose 2.67 ± 0.17 °C. Conversely, Toc in the SC treatment rose 1.58 ± 0.45 °C, in the MC treatment decreased 2.83 ± 0.17 °C. Though Toc rose during the swimming in the SC treatment, the value of Toc in the MC treatment decreased to the water temperature, in spite of a rise in Tf. For Toral, no significant elevation was evident in SC and MC. However, there was significant elevation in Tty of SC (0.35 ± 0.11 °C, p < 0.05). TSB showed a higher value in MC than in SC, but TSH was higher in SC than MC. CONCLUSION: These findings indicated that wearing the waterproo fed swim cap during swimming might cause the swimmer to suffer cephalic hyperthemia than when they wore a non-waterproofed swim cap. Therefore, it is desirable for the swimmer to wear a non-waterproofed swim cap when training in the warm water environment.