Swimming provides an entertaining and accessible way for people of all ages to get exercise needed to lose weight and stay healthy. Whether for competition, fitness or fun, one piece of swimming gear that is commonly worn while in the water is the swim cap. This is due to the many advantages the cap provides its wearer.
Material
Swim caps are made from a variety of different water-resistant materials that can provide an advantage while swimming, including latex, silicone and lycra. The type of material a swimmer chooses for a cap may vary depending on factors such as the temperature of the water he will be swimming in, the type of swimming event he is participating in and personal preference.
Hair Placement
One of the simple advantages that a swimming cap can provide you is the ability to keep hair away from the face. When in the water, hair can fall in front of your eyes and face, distracting you and possibly blocking your vision. Hair caps are especially important for those with longer hair that is more likely to be an interruption.
Speed
One of the primary benefits of wearing a swimming cap is the reduction of drag that occurs. Human hair has a lot of surface area as well as a lot of space for water to get trapped in, creating drag and potentially slowing down the swimmer. The materials that swim caps are made from gets rid of drag by creating a smooth and slick surface, allowing the body to propel through the water at a quicker speed.
Hair Protection
A secondary function of a swim cap is the protection it provides for your hair, especially if you are swimming in chlorinated water. Chlorine's main action on hair is a drying effect. Chlorine dries the hair both from removing the protective layers of oil from the hair strand, as well as getting deep inside the strand, drying it from the inside out. The salts in chlorine can also damage your hair. As chlorine infiltrates the hair strand and dries, the chlorine salts crystallize and expand, weakening the structure of the hair and causing damage. The swim cap keeps the chlorine away from the hair by providing a protective barrier.
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