New Study Identifies Headshake as Key Concussion Indicator in Athletes

Researchers suggest adding the headshake gesture to concussion protocols to improve diagnosis accuracy and player safety.

Researchers found that 69% of athletes reported shaking their heads after a head impact, with 93% associating it with a concussion.
The study introduces the term SHAAKE (Spontaneous Headshake After a Kinematic Event) to describe this common post-impact gesture.
Adding SHAAKE to concussion protocols could identify up to 33% of otherwise undiagnosed concussions, according to the study.
The research was inspired by incidents involving Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, highlighting the need for better concussion detection.
Experts advocate for immediate implementation of SHAAKE in sports and medical guidelines to prevent missed diagnoses and protect athletes' health.