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 80 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 40 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
2013-2015. 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
Academic Positions 2014. Assistant Professor - Department of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, Greece Επίκουρος Καθηγητής, Σχολή Επιστήμης Φυσικής Αγωγής και Αθλητισμού, Πανεπιστήμιο Θεσσαλίας (2014, ΦΕΚ 804/26-6-2014/Τ. Γ)
2018. Associate Professor- Department of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, Greece Αναπληρωτής Καθηγητής, Σχολή Επιστήμης Φυσικής Αγωγής και Αθλητισμού, Πανεπιστήμιο Θεσσαλίας (2018, Τεύχος Γ’ 966/31.08.2018).
2023. Professor - Department of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, Greece, 2023 Καθηγητής πρώτης βαθμίδας, Σχολή Επιστήμης Φυσικής Αγωγής και Αθλητισμού, Πανεπιστήμιο Θεσσαλίας (2023, Τεύχος Γ’ 1643, 23.06.2023).
Recent Publications 2026 Theodorakis, Y., Karamitrou, A., Krommydas, Ch., Violatzi, A., Aggeli, M., Hassandra, M., & Comoutos, N. (2026). Exploring the Pathways Between Physical Activity, love for nature and Eco-Friendly Behavior in Children. Frontiers in Sports and Active Living, 16, https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1710555 Galanis, E., Kouvarakis, P., Kouli, O., Krommidas, Ch., Comoutos, N., Hatzigeorgiadis, A., & Theodorakis, Y. (2026). The Effects of a Strategic Instructional Self-Talk Intervention on Performance in a Complex Tennis Rally. Behavioral Sciences, 16(1), 87. https://doi.org/10.3390/bs16010087
2025 Galanis, E., Stojković, Z., Proskinitopoulos, T., Tzormpatzakis, E., Comoutos, N., Theodorakis, Y., & Hatzigeorgiadis, A. (2025). A psychophysiological approach to the study of strategic self-talk mechanisms through heart rate variability during a cycling task. Retos, 70, 1334-1342
Galanis, E. , Minja, N. , Tzeli, K. , Tsatalas, T. , Comoutos, N. , Theodorakis, Y. , Stavrou, N. and Hatzigeorgiadis, A. (2025) The Effects of Strategic Self-Talk on Flow during Competition in Young High-Level Taekwondo Athletes. Psychology, 16, 1427-1441. doi: 10.4236/psych.2025.1611082.
Comoutos, N., Karamitrou, A., Krommydas, Ch., Morres, I.D., Violatzi, K., Dimitriou, E., Hassandra, M., Papaioannou, A., & Theodorakis, Y. (2025). Exploring the Relationship Between Physical Activity, Flood Experience, Eco-Anxiety, and Youth Well-Being in a Changing Climate. Scientific Reports. 15:38713, https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-23046-3
Book chapters Schinke, R.J., Quartiroli, A., Kim, Y.H., Kudo, K., Y.K., Comoutos, N. (2024). Introduction: The International Society of Sport Psychology Academy of Science. In Schinke, R. (Ed.). Mental Health in Sport and Physical Activity. Selected writings from the ISSP academy of science. UK: Routledge.
Projects Project Funded by European Union – Next Generation & HFRI- Hellenic Foundation for Research and Innovation. ENLITE- ENvironmentally LITErate youth through an interdisciplinary intervention, Κωδικός έργου: 7590. (Budget: 250.000€). (2024-2026).
