Biography
I am Professor in Psychology of Physical Education and Sport at the School of Physical Education Sport Sciences & Dietetics, University of Thessaly in Greece. I received my first degree at the University of Thessaly and my MSc in Applied Sport and Exercise Psychology at the University of Wales, Bangor, supported by the Onassis Foundation. My Ph.D was supported by the “State Scholarships Foundation”.  My research applies self-regulation strategies and motivation theories to understand and enhance performance but also change unhealthy behaviors such as smoking and drinking through exercise. I have co-authored more than 70 articles in international peer-reviewed journals, and 9 chapters in international handbooks of sport and exercise psychology, and serve as a referee in more than 30 journals of sport and exercise psychology. I am member of the Managing Council of the International Society of Sport Psychology - (ISSP) and was president of the Hellenic Society of Sport and Exercise Psychology (HSSEP) for 6 years, member of the Managing Council responsible for the research department of the European Network of Young Specialists in Sport Psychology (ENYSSP) for 8 years. I am also member of the European Federation of Sport Psychology (FEPSAC). I am Associate Editor of the International Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology (2023- now), and editorial board in the Journal of Sports Sciences (Taylor and Francis), Scientific Reports (Nature) and has served several times as guest editor in various international journals (e.g The Sport Psychologist). I was section editor of sport sciences of Cogent Psychology and Cogent Medicine (2017-2018), editor of the Hellenic Journal of Sport Psychology (2014-2019), and assistant editor of the International Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology for more than ten years. I have been a post-doc researcher in European (FP7), and National projects for 6 years. I have been teaching at least 10 years to international students in the European Master of Sport and Exercise Psychology different modules but also supervising more than 40 international students for their thesis but also their applied practice. I have attended many international congresses as participant but also as assistant director of the 12th European Congress of Sport Psychology, FEPSAC in 2007, and many national congresses.  In my free time I enjoy playing with my two sons George and Alexander and tasting extra virgin olive oil and wine. 

"If you want to go fast, go alone
...if you want to go far, go together..."

Education
2012-2015. Post-Doctoral Researcher in Exercise and Health. EXERCISE, SMOKING, & ALCOHOL: INVESTIGATION OF MECHANISMS, & INTERVENTIONS FOR PREVENTION, CESSATION & AWARENESS. THALIS PROJECT. National Strategic Reference Framework).

2009-2013. Post-Doctoral Researcher in Sport and Exercise Psychology and Physical Activity.Promoting Adolescent health through an intervention aimed at improving the quality of their participation in Physical Activity (PAPA). Collaborative research grant funded by the EU Commission’s Seventh Framework Programme (Health).

2005-2008. Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D) Sport Psychology, University of Thessaly, Trikala, Department of Physical Education and Sport Sciences & University of Thrace, Komotini, Department of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, Greece

2002-2003. Master of Science (M.Sc.) Applied Sport and Exercise Psychology. University of Wales, Bangor, School of Sport Health and Exercise Sciences, Wales

1997-2001. Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) in Physical Education & Sport Science, University of Thessaly, Trikala,Department of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, Greece

Publications profile: http://scholar.google.co.uk/citations?user=Sj6ToYwAAAAJ&hl=en
Researchgate profile: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Zourbanos_Nikos
Academia profile: https://uth.academia.edu/NikosZourbanos
E-mail: nzourba@pe.uth.gr, nzourba@hotmail.com

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Recent Publications

2022
Tzouma, N. A., Morres, I., Comoutos, N., Krommidas, C., Kotronis, K., Papaioannou, A., &  Theodorakis, Y. (2022). The effect of a perinatal exercise counselling intervention on depressive symptoms. Hellenic Journal of Psychology, 19, 276-308. IF: NA(Scopus)

Krommidas, C., Galanis, E., Tzormpatzakis, E., Hassandra, M., Hatzigeorgiadis, A., Morrew, D. I., Comoutos, N., Theodorakis, Y. (2022). The effects of acute exercise and virtual reality tasks on children’s memory function and exercise preference: A randomized control trial. International Journal of Kinesiology & Sports Science,10(3), 7-17. IF : NA

Galanis, E., Hatzigeorgiadis, A., Charachousi, F., Latinjak, A.T., Comoutos, N., & Theodorakis, Y. (2022b). Strategic self-talk can counter the detrimental effects of physical exertion on basketball free throw performance. Frontiers in Sports and Active Living, section Movement Science and Sport Psychology, 4, 892046. https://doi.org/10.3389/fspor.2022.892046,  IF:NA

Galanis, E., Nurkse, L., Kooijman, J., Papagiannis, E., Karathanasi, A., Comoutos, N., Theodorakis, Y., & Hatzigeorgiadis, A. (2022a). Effects of a strategic self-talk intervention on attention functions and performance in a golf task under conditions of ego depletion. Sustainability, 14, 7046.https://doi.org/10.3390/su14127046. IF: 3.89

Brisimis, E., Krommidas, C., Syrmpas, Y., Karamitrou, A., Hatzigeorgiadis, A., & Comoutos, N. (2022). Motivational climate, basic psychological needs, and students’ self-talk in Physical Education. The Physical Educator, 79(3), 280-304. DOI: 10.18666/TPE-2022-V79-I3-10851. IF: NA

Konstantinou, A., Galanis, E., Theodorakis, Y., Comoutos, N., Pappas, A., & Hatzigeorgiadis, A. (2022). The effects of a goal-setting intervention on frequency of participation in organized exercise programmes for women. Journal of Education, Society & Behavioural Science, 35, 25-34. https://doi.org/10.9734/jesbs/2022/v35i530423. IF: NA
 
Morres, I.D., Tzouma, N.A, Hatzigeorgiadis, A., Krommidas, A., Kotronis, K., Dafopoulos, K., Theodorakis, Y., Comoutos, N. (2022). Exercise for perinatal depressive symptoms: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials in perinatal health services. Journal of Affective Disorders, 298, 26-42. DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2021.10.124. IF: 6.5

Galanis, E., Hatzigeorgiadis, A., Comoutos, N., Papaioannou, A., Morres, I.D., Theodorakis, Y. (2022). Effects of a strategic self-talk intervention on attention functions. International Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology,20(5), 1368-1382. https://doi.org/10.1080/1612197X.2021.1963304 IF: 4.2

Krommidas, C., Papaioannou, A. G., Comoutos, N., Kouali, D., Galanis, E., & Chroni, S. (2022). Effects of parental support and coach-initiated motivational climate on young athletes’ psychosocial behaviors and well-being. Asian Journal of Sport & Exercise Psychology, 2, 140-150. IF: NA(Scopus)

Galanis, E., Mylonopoulos, A., Comoutos N., Theodorakis, Y., & Hatzigeorgiadis, A., 
(2022). From training to competition: The effects of a strategic self-talk intervention on pre-competition anxiety and self-confidence in young swimmers. Inquiries in Sport & Physical Education, 20(2), 86-93. IF: NA 

Book chapters
​Karamitrou A., Galanis, E., Theodorakis, Y., & Comoutos, N. (2020). Organic Self-talk Antecedents: An Interpretative Review and Implications for Practice. In Latinjak, A., & Hatzigeorgiadis, A. (Eds.). Self-talk in Sport (77-90). UK: Routledge.

Marjanovic, M., Krommidas, Ch., Mprisimis, E., Papaioannou, A., & Comoutos, N. (2020). Self-talk in Physical Education: Motivational Aspects and a Guide for Physical Education Teachers. In Latinjak, A., & Hatzigeorgiadis, A. (Eds.). Self-talk in Sport (188-200). UK: Routledge.