Spontaneous Headshake After A Kinematic Event (SHAAKE): New concussion symptom is prevalent when heading the football

Concussion in sport is becoming better understood and given the shared mechanism attention has now turned towards head impacts in football. Recent work has identified a potential new symptom of concussion, predominantly in American football players, termed the Spontaneous Headshake After A Kinematic Event (SHAAKE). The present study aimed to explore whether this symptom was present when heading in football, the reasons for doing so, and whether there are differences between sexes. Participants completed a questionnaire designed to capture information on demographic variables as well as prevalence of SHAAKE in oneself and others, and reasons for doing so. Of the twenty participants included in data analysis, 45% recalled having made the SHAAKE movement after the heading the football, and 65% reported they had observed another player doing so. Three-quarters of participants reported having sustained concussion before. Additionally, a one-way ANOVA revealed that women were significantly more likely to report dizziness as the reason for SHAAKE than men which may be due to the technical ability of heading the football. With this knowledge, non-players may be more observant of dizziness in women football players shortly after heading the ball this may indicate damage to the brain.