Clinical Exercise Physiology and Nutrition Laboratory

General Information

The Laboratory of Clinical Exercise Physiology and Nutrition of the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, University of Thessaly, was established in 2021 (Government Gazette B’ 5960/17.12.2021). The Laboratory serves educational and research needs in the fields of Clinical Exercise Physiology, Biochemistry, Redox Biology and Nutrition, Toxicology, Metabolism, Mental Health and Physical Activity, Clinical Accelerometry, and Behavior Modification.

Research Mission of the Laboratory

The Laboratory has the following research objectives:

a) The assessment and address of the issue of health inequalities

b) The conduction of systematic reviews with meta-analyses within the framework of evidence-based practice in the field of health sciences

c) The investigation of the role of exercise and human redox status in the onset and progression of non-communicable diseases

d) The study of the in vitro antioxidant properties of dietary supplements and plant extracts as bioactive compounds of products with beneficial effects on human health

e) The elucidation of various xenobiotics to which humans are exposed through the food chain in terms of their ability to alter blood redox homeostasis in health and disease

f) The effects of dietary interventions towards the trajectory to detoxification in patients with opioid use disorders

g) The study of the role of endocrine disruptors (to which humans are exposed through diet both during intrauterine life and throughout all stages of life) in the onset of metabolic diseases

h) The adoption of clinical accelerometry for recording physical activity levels and converting them into metabolic equivalents to calculate energy expenditure

i) The assessment and improvement of mental health in clinical groups and the general population

j) The recording, promotion, and prescription of physical activity in clinical groups and the general population

k) The application of clinical and pragmatic behavioral medicine to promote and modify health behaviors

l) The assessment and management of overweight/obesity in children and adolescents

Another key pillar of the Laboratory is teaching of the fundamental principles of evidence-based practice to undergraduate and postgraduate students, as defined and dictated by the Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine, University of Oxford (https://www.cebm.net/). In this context, all permanent and adjunct members of the Laboratory are able to critically evaluate the international literature and seek research-based answers to their questions based solely on scientifically substantiated data.

Educational Mission of the Lab

The Laboratory has the following educational objectives:

a) To meet the educational needs of the undergraduate and postgraduate students in the following subjects:

(i) Clinical Exercise Physiology

(ii) Exercise Physiology

(iii) Redox Biology of Nutrition and Exercise

(iv) Mental Health and Physical Activity

(v) Pediatric Endocrinology

(vi) Biochemistry

(vii) Toxicology

(viii) Metabolism

(ix) Nutritional Behavior

(x) Nutrition Counseling

b) The training of undergraduate students during their bachelor’s thesis, postgraduate students during their master’s thesis, and PhD candidates during their doctoral dissertation.

In addition, the Laboratory aims to:

a) Collaborate and exchange scientific knowledge with other Universities in Greece, recognized institutions abroad, and research and technology organizations in Greece and abroad

b) Cooperate with other laboratories of public bodies, organizations, institutes, businesses, municipalities, communities, and other organisms, towards the improvement of product or service quality and productivity

c) Organize scientific lectures, workshops, seminars, symposia, conferences, and other scientific events by inviting scientists from Greece and abroad, and producing publications and editions in Greece and abroad

d) The provision of specialized services to individuals and public sector entities

e) The conduction of research projects/programs, as well as the organization and delivery of training programs through the Center for Training and Lifelong Learning in its areas of expertise.

Laboratory Staff

Faculty Members

PhD candidates

  • Karaventza Marianthi. Title of PhD dissertation: “Study of the role of redox status of patients with autoimmune rheumatic diseases in disease progression.” Supervisor: Aristidis Veskoukis
  • Kapama Aikaterini. Title of PhD dissertation: “Association of endocrine disruptors during pregnancy with disorders of the male reproductive system in newborns.” Supervisor: Papagianni Maria
  • Delis Nikolaos. Title of PhD dissertation: “The role of chronotype in the effectiveness of intermittent fasting in obese adolescents.” Supervisor: Maria Papagianni
  • Marina Papageorgiou. Title of PhD dissertation: “Assessment of the antioxidant defense and quality of life of patients addicted to opioids” Supervisor: Aristidis Veskoukis

Current research projects

  • Center for Health Advancement and Narrowing HealthCare Equities

Funding Authority: Region of Thessaly (RIS3). Funding amount: 200,000 euros. Principal Investigator: Aristidis Veskoukis

  • Prevention of sports injuries in team sports using machine learning and artificial intelligence technologies

Funding Authority: SUB1.1. Partnerships for Research Excellence (PRE), under the National Recovery and Resilience Plan “Greece 2.0”. Funding amount: 2,000,000 euros. Member of the Scientific Team: Georgios Metsios

  • Mountain Games: A Celebration of Sport, Culture, and Inclusion

Funding Authority: ERASMUS-SPORT-2025, ERASMUS-SPORT-2025-SNCESE, European Union. Funding amount: 450,000 euros. Member of the Research Team: Georgios Metsios

Laboratory Equipment

The Laboratory is equipped with instruments that support the research and teaching activities of its members. This equipment is expected to be expanded through funding from available research grants. The current equipment is as follows:

  • A multimode plate reader (optical absorption, chemiluminescence, fluorescence)
  • A spirometry and metabolic assessment system that includes a gas analyzer, a treadmill ergometer equipped with an automatic sphygmomanometer, and a wireless electrocardiograph
  • Four ACTigraph triaxial accelerometer systems for the objective quantification and characterization of physical activity
  • Two ActiLife software programs for recording and analyzing physical activity levels (PAL) and for matching metabolic equivalents
  • Psychometric tools for assessing psychological symptoms, including anxiety, depression, and other symptoms
  • Psychometric tools for the psychometric diagnosis of mental disorders
  • A portfolio of self-report tools for recording and analyzing eating behavior
  • The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of the American Psychological Association (DSM-5) for the classification of psychiatric disorders and the analysis and standardization of health data
  • The International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision (ICD-10) for coding diseases and medical diagnoses and for the analysis and standardization of health data
  • One TANITA BC535n digital bioimpedance scale
  • One SEGA 813 digital scale
  • One OMRON M3 automatic blood pressure monitor
  • Four post-analytical software packages
  • One refrigerator-freezer

Scientific publications by members of the Laboratory (2021 and later)

Scientific publications by the Laboratory

Presentations of Theses at Conferences Using the Peer Review System by Students of the Laboratory

  • Daskalaki A, Mouliri B, Asimoni M, Hatzigeorgiadis X, Theodorakis G, Metsios G, Georgakouli K, Morres ID. Accelerometry of physical activity in adults with type II obesity at the start of a dietary weight loss program. In the Proceedings (Eds.) of the 20th Panhellenic Medical Congress on Obesity of the Hellenic Medical Society for Obesity (pp. ), February 12–14, 2026, Athens.
  • Moulliri B, Daskalaki A, Asimoni M, Hatzigeorgiadis X, Theodorakis G, Metsios G, Georgakouli K, Morres ID. Accelerometry of physical activity in adults with type II obesity at the start of a weight-loss diet program. In the Proceedings (Eds.) of the 20th Panhellenic Medical Congress on Obesity of the Hellenic Medical Society for Obesity (pp. ), February 12–14, 2026, Athens.
  • Thomaidi E, Georgakouli K, Hatzigeorgiadis X, Theodorakis G, Metsios G, Morres ID. The Mediterranean Diet and Physical Activity for Weight Loss in Obese Adults. Feasibility trial using accelerometry and behavioral techniques. In the Proceedings (Eds.) of the 20th Panhellenic Medical Congress on Obesity of the Hellenic Medical Society for Obesity (p. X), February 12–14, 2026, Athens.
  • Mavreli M, Karamvasi P, Zakzagki M, Asimoni M, Metsios G, Morres ID. Diet and physical activity interventions for weight loss in obese adolescents; An ongoing systematic review and meta-analysis. In the Proceedings (Eds.) of the 20th Conference of the European Network of Young Specialists in Sport Psychology (pp. 25–26), June 5–7, 2025, Trikala, Greece.
  • Asimoni M, Krommidas C, Kalavrou C, Zakzagki M, Papadopoulou C, Mavreli M, Hatzigerorgiadis A, Androutsos O, Theodorakis Y, Morres ID. Mood dimensions, eating behavior, and objectively measured physical activity in obese adults. In the Proceedings (Eds.) of the 20th Conference of the European Network of Young Specialists in Sport Psychology (pp. 27), June 5–7, 2025, Trikala, Greece.
  • Asimoni M, Zakzagi M, Papadopoulou C, Krommidas C, Kalavrou C, Hatzigeorgiadis A, Androutsos O, Theodorakis G, Metsios G, Morres I.D. Eating behavior and physical activity accelerometry in sedentary obese adults. In Proceedings (Eds.) of the 19th Panhellenic Medical Congress on Obesity of the Hellenic Medical Society for Obesity (p. 8), March 6–8, 2025, Athens. https://profile.convin.gr/files/Obesity25/FINAL_PROGRAMME_Web_version_f.pdf
  • Mavreli M, Karamvasi P, Zakzagki M, Metsios G, Morres ID. Psychosocial effects of diet and physical activity interventions in obese adolescents; An ongoing systematic review and meta-analysis. English-language Symposium: Physical Activity, Sport and Mental Health, Chair: Ioannis D. Morres, Assistant Professor, University of Thessaly, Dept. of Nutrition and Dietetics, Trikala. In the Proceedings of the 30th Anniversary Conference of the Department of Physical Education and Sports Science, University of Thessaly and the 1st Conference of the Panhellenic Association of Sports and Exercise Professionals (p. 79), November 1–2, 2024, Trikala. https://pseaac.pe.uth.gr/docs/praktika.pdf.
  • Asimoni M, Krommidas C, Kalavrou C, Papadopoulou C, Hatzigeorgiadis A, Androutsos O, Theodorakis G, Metsios G, Morres I.D. Objectively recorded daily physical activity and quality of life in obese adults. Preliminary findings of an accelerometer study. In the Proceedings of the 30th Anniversary Conference of the Department of Physical Education and Sports Science, University of Thessaly and the 1st Conference of the Panhellenic Association of Sports and Exercise Professionals (p. 40), November 1–2, 2024, Trikala. https://pseaac.pe.uth.gr/docs/praktika.pdf
  • Daskalaki A, Mouliri V, Georgakouli K, Metsios G, Morres ID. Mediterranean diet and body mass index in obese adults. Systematic literature review and meta-analysis. At the symposium “Physical Activity, Mental Health, Quality of Life, and Eating Behavior,” chaired by Ioannis D. Morres. In the Proceedings (Eds.) of the 16th International Congress of Sport Psychology (p. 43), May 26–28, Trikala. http://www.sportpsychology.org.gr/images/Abstract_Book_HSSEP_conferencepdf
  • Moulliri B, Daskalaki A, Georgakouli K, Metsios G, Morres I.D. Systematic literature review and meta-analysis of the effect of the Mediterranean diet combined with behavioral techniques on the body mass index of obese adults. At the symposium “Physical Activity, Mental Health, Quality of Life, and Eating Behavior,” Chair: Ioannis D. Morres. In the Proceedings (Eds.) of the 16th International Congress of Sport Psychology (p. 43), May 26–28, 2023, Trikala. http://www.sportpsychology.org.gr/images/Abstract_Book_HSSEP_conferencepdf
  • Papoutsaki AE, Georgakouli K, Veskoukis A, Metsios G, Morres ID. Elite athletes’ performance, sport nutrition knowledge, and affective states. In the Proceedings (Eds.) of the 16th International Conference on Sport Psychology (pp. 92), May 26–28, 2023, Trikala, Greece. http://www.sportpsychology.org.gr/images/Abstract_Book_HSSEP_conference_2023.pdf
  • Asimoni M, Krommidas X, Kalavrou X, Hatzigeorgiadis A, Androutsos O, Theodorakis G, Metsios G, Morres ID. Accelerometer recording of habitual physical activity, psychometric assessment of anxiety and depression symptoms, evaluation of the Mediterranean diet in obese adults: A longitudinal study. Poster presentation. In Proceedings (Eds.) of the 16th International Congress of Sport Psychology (p. 94), May 26–28, Trikala. http://www.sportpsychology.org.gr/images/Abstract_Book_HSSEP_conferencepdf.

Activities/Community Service by Members of the Laboratory

  • September 2021. Lecture by Dr Aristidis Veskoukis at the 2nd Second Chance School of Larissa, located within the city’s correctional facility, entitled: “Doping and Drugs in Sports: Athletes’ Attempts to Illegally Enhance Their Performance”
  • October 2021. Lecture by Dr Aristidis Veskoukis at the 2nd Second Chance School of Larissa, located within the city’s correctional facility, entitled: “The Importance of Research and Experimentation in the Advancement of Knowledge”
  • November 2021. Lecture by third-year students of the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, accompanied by Dr Aristidis Veskoukis, at the 2nd Second Chance School of Larissa, located within the city’s correctional facility, entitled: " Fundamental Principles of Nutrition Science"
  • February 2022. Lecture by a graduate of the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, accompanied by Dr Aristidis Veskoukis, at the 2nd Second Chance School of Larissa, located within the city’s correctional facility, entitled: “Nutrition and Disease Management”
  • May 2022. Lecture by Dr Aristidis Veskoukis at the 2nd Second Chance School of Trikala, located within the city’s correctional facility, entitled: “Toxic Substances, Anabolic Steroids, and Doping”
  • November 2022. Lecture by Dr Aristidis Veskoukis at the 2nd Second Chance School of Larissa, located within the city’s correctional facility, entitled: “Functional Foods and Their Role in Human Health”
  • May 2023. Lecture by Dr Maria Papagianni to students and teachers of the 1st Experimental Junior High School of Larissa entitled: “Nutrition”
  • March 2024. Lecture by Dr Aristidis Veskoukis at the 2nd Second Chance School of Larissa, located within the city’s correctional facility, entitled: “Doping and Sports.”  
  • October 2024. Lecture by Dr Aristidis Veskoukis at the 2nd Second Chance School of Larissa, located within the city’s correctional facility, entitled: “The beneficial role of pomegranate juice consumption in heroin addiction”
  • November 2024. Lecture by Dr Maria Papagianni at the 6th Elementary School of Trikala
  • March 2025. Lecture by second-year students of the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, accompanied by Dr Aristidis Veskoukis, at the 2nd Second Chance School of Larissa, located within the city’s correctional facility, entitled: "Basic Nutrition and Health Tips"
  • May 2025. Lecture by Dr Maria Papagianni at the 7th Vocational High School of Larissa

Activities of the Center for Health Advancement and Narrowing Care Equity established within the Laboratory of Clinical Exercise Physiology and Nutrition

 

CHANCE 2023

  • December 2025. Lecture by Dr Aristidis Veskoukis at the 2nd Second Chance School of Trikala, located within the city’s correctional facility, entitled: "Center for Health Advancement and Narrowing Care Equity"
  • January 2026. Online lectuer by an inmate/student at the 2nd Second Chance School, located within Trikala correctional facility. Lecture topic: "The speaker’s personal experiences and insights into the inequalities faced by members of vulnerable populations in the healthcare sector".
  • February 2026. Lecture by third-year students of the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, accompanied by Dr Aristidis Veskoukis, at the 2nd Second Chance School of Trikala, located within the city’s Correctional Facility, entitled: "Basic Nutrition Tips"
  • February 2026. Lecture at the Laboratory by a beneficiary of the National Organization for the Prevention and Treatment of Addictions (EOPAE). Lecture topic: “Personal experiences of in the context of addiction, as well as the problems in terms of access to healthcare facilities encountered by patients with substance use disorders.

Dissemination of the scientific and research work of the Laboratory's members

Aristidis Veskoukis

Ioannis Morres

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