Professor Yiannis Koutedakis

Biographical Summary 

A Physical Education graduate from Thessaloniki University, Greece (1974), Prof. Koutedakis taught P.E. and Physiology in secondary schools until 1982, when he was awarded two Greek State Scholarships for postgraduate studies. He obtained a Master's Degree (1984) and a PhD (1991) in Sports Sciences at Birmingham University, UK.

Prof. Koutedakis has attended many national-, international- and world-level championships and Olympic Games as competitor, professional coach/trainer, and/or scientific advisor. He has been a professional National Rowing Coach for Greece (1977-1980) and UK (1985-1987). He has also been an elite dancer (1969-1980) and professional dance teacher (1982-1985).

He was one of the founders of the British Olympic Medical Centre (Northwick Park Hospital, London, UK), where he introduced new training and fitness assessment techniques to many Olympic squads, including rowing, skiing, fencing, and gymnastics, as well as to professional dancers. Principally involved in the setting-up of health & exercise-physiology laboratories for the British Olympic Medical Centre, UK (1987), Wolverhampton University, UK (1992), Pakistani Navy (Islamabad, 1994), and Thessaly University, Greece (1997), Prof. Koutedakis is also a member of 9 National and International professional bodies. His academic and research profile is summarised below:

Employment History

• 2007 – present  Professor in Exerc. Physiology, School of Sport & Exerc. Sci., Thessaly Univ., Greece.
• 2006 – present   Director, Institute of Human Perform. & Rehabil., Ministry of Development., Greece.
• 2002 – 2007  Ass. Prof. in Exerc. Physiology, School of Sport & Exerc. Sci., Thessaly Univ., Greece.
• 2000 – present   Visiting Prof. in Applied Physiology, School of Sport, Performing Arts & Leisure, Wolverhampton University, UK.
• 1998 – 2002       Assoc. Prof. in Exerc. Physiol., School of Sport & Exerc. Sci., Thessaly Univ., Greece.
• 1991 – 1998      Senior Lecturer (Exercise Science/Sport Physiology), School of Health Sciences, Wolverhampton University, UK.
• 1987 – 1991    Acting Director/Chief Physiologist, British Olympic Medical Centre, Northwick Park Hospital, London, UK.
• 1985 – 1987      National Coach, Amateur Rowing Association, UK (full time).
• 1977 – 1980      National Coach, Greek Rowing Federation (part time).
• 1975 – 1982      Rowing Coach, Volos Nautical Club, Greece (part time).
• 1976 – 1982      Teacher (PE), Tsagarada, Zagora, & Velestino School, Greece.
• 1975 – 1976      Rowing Coach, Ministry of Sports, Greece.
• 1974 - 1975       Military Service, Greece.

Recent Publications

• A.D. Flouris, C.I. Vardavas, G.S. Metsios, A.M. Tsatsakis, Y. Koutedakis. “Biological evidence for the acute health effects of secondhand smoke exposure”.  Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol, 298(1):L3-L12, 2010.
• Kalafati M, Jamurtas AZ, Nikolaidis MG, Paschalis V, , Giakas G, Theodorou AA, Sakellariou GK, Koutedakis Y, Kouretas D. “Ergogenic and antioxidant effects of spirulina supplementation in humans.” Med Sci Sport Exerc, 42(1):142-51, 2010.
• A.D. Flouris, G.S. Metsios, K. Famisis, N. Geladas, Y. Koutedakis. “Prediction of VO2max from a new field test based on portable indirect calorimetry”. J Sci Med Sport, 13 (1): 70-73, 2010.
• Twitchett EA, Brodrick A, Nevill AM, Koutedakis Y, Angioi M, Wyon M. “Does physical fitness affect injury occurrence and time-loss due to injury in elite vocational ballet students?” J Dance Med Sci, 14(1): 26-31, 2010.
• Giannaki CD, Sakkas GK, Hadjigeorgiou GM, Liakopoulos V, Koutedakis Y, Stefanidis I. “Quality of life score is primarily affected by the mental rather than the physical component in patients with Restless Legs Syndrome.” (Letter to the Editor) Mov Disord, 25(1):135-6, 2010.
• Paschalis V., Nikolaidis MG., Theodorou AA.,Giakas G., Jamurtas AZ., Koutedakis Y. “Eccentric exercise affects upper limps more than lower limps in position sense and reaction angle.” J Sports Sci, 28(1): 33-43, 2010.
• Stavropoulos-Kalinoglou A, Metsios GS, Smith J, Douglas KM, Jamurtas AZ, Koutedakis Y, Kitas GD. “What predicts obesity in patients with rheumatoid arthritis? An investigation of the interactions between lifestyle and inflammation.” Int J Obesity, 34(2): 295-301, 2010.
• Paschalis V, Nikolaidis MG, Giakas G, Theodorou AA, Sakellariou GK, Fatouros IG, Koutedakis Y, Jamurtas AZ. “Beneficial changes in energy expenditure and lipid profile after eccentric exercise in overweight and lean women.” Scand J Sports Med, 20(1):e103-111. 2010.
• Flouris AD, Metsios GS, Jamurtas AZ, Koutedakis Y. “Cardiorespiratory and immune response to physical activity following exposure to a typical smoking environment.” Heart, 96(11): 860-864, 2010.
• Theodorou AA, Nikolaidis, Paschalis V, Sakellariou GK, Fatouros I, Koutedakis Y and Jamurtas AZ. “Comparison between glucose-6-phospahate dehydrogenase-deficcient and normal individuals after eccentric exercise.” Med Sci Sport Exerc, 42(6): 1113-1121, 2010.
• Russell JA, Shave RM, Yoshioka H, Kruse DW, Koutedakis Y, Wyon MA. “Magnetic resonance imaging of the ankle in female ballet dancers en pointe.” Acta Radiologica,51(6):655-661, 2010.
• Russell JA, Kruse DW, Koutedakis Y, McEwan I, Wyon MA. “Pathoanatomy of posterior ankle impingement in ballet dancers.” Clin Anat,23:613-621, 2010.
• Wyon M, Nevill A, Dekker K, Brown DD, Clarke F, Pelly J, Koutedakis Y. “Affect of leg length on range of motion, vertical jump and leg dexterity in dance”.  International Journal of Sports Medicine, 31 (9), pp. 631-635, 2010.
• Tsatalas T, Giakas G, Spyropoulos G, Paschalis V, Nikolaidis MG, Tsaopoulos DE, Theodorou AA, Jamurtas AZ, Koutedakis Y. “The effects of muscle damage on walking biomechanics are speed-dependent.” Eur J Appl Physiol, 110(5): 977-88, 2010.
• Giannaki CD, Sakkas GK, Hadjigeorgiou GM, Patramani G, Lavdas E, Liakopoulos
  V, Karatzaferi C, Koutedakis Y, Stefanidis I. “Non-pharmacological management of
  periodic limb movements during hemodialysis session in patients with uremic restless leg syndrom.”ASAIO Journal 56 (6): 538-542, 2010.
• Stavropoulos-Kalinoglou, A., Metsios, G., Jamurtas, A., Koutedakis, Y., Kitas, G.     "Underweight and obese states both associate with worse disease activity and physical function in patients with established rheumatoid arthritis". Clin Rheumatol, 28(4): 439-444, 2009.
• A. Stavropoulos-kalinoglou, G. Metsios, V.F. Panoulas, K.M.J. Douglas, A. Nevill, A.Z. Jamurtas, M. Kita, Y. Koutedakis, G.D. Kitas. “Associations of obesity with modifiable risk factors for the development of cardiovascular disease in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.” Ann Rheum Dis, 68(2): 242-245, 2009.
• A.D. Flouris, Y. Spiropoulos, G. Sakellariou, Y. Koutedakis. “Effect of seasonal programming on fetal development and longevity: Links with environmental temperature.” Am J Hum Biol, 21(2):214-216, 2009.
• Metsios GS, Stavropoulos-Kalinoglou A, Panoulas VF, Wilson M, Nevill AM, Koutedakis Y, Kitas GD. “Association of physical activity with increased cardiovascular risk in patients with rheumatoid arthritis”. Eur J Cardiov Prev Rehabil, 16(2):188-94, 2009.
• Angioi M, Metsios GS, Koutedakis Y, Twitchett E, Wyon M. “Physical fitness and severity of injuries in contemporary dance.” Med Probl Perform Ar, 24(1): 26-29, 2009.
• A.D. Flouris, G.S. Metsios, A.Z. Jamurtas, K. Gourgoulianis, T.Kiropoulos, M.N. Tzatzarakis, A.M. Tsatsakis, Y. Koutedakis. “Acute and Short-term effects of secondhand smoke on lung function and cytokine production.” Am J Respir Crit Care Med, 179(11): 1029–1033, 2009.
• Angioi, M., Metsios, G., Koutedakis, Y., Wyon, M. "Fitness in contemporary dance: a systematic review" Int J Sports Med, 30(7):475-84, 2009.
• G.D. Tsiotra, A.M. Nevill, A.M. Lane, Y. Koutedakis. “Physical fitness and developmental coordination disorder in Greek children.” Ped Exerc Sci,21 (2): 186-195, 2009.
• A. Nevill, G.D. Tsiotra, P. Tsimeas, Y. Koutedakis. “Allometric associations between body size, shape and physical performance of Greek children.” Ped Exerc Sci, 21 (2): 220-232, 2009.
• Hatzikotoulas K, Patikas D, Bassa E, Hadjileontiadis L, Koutedakis Y, Kotzamanidis C. “Submaximal fatigue and recovery in boys and men.” Int J Sports Med, 30(10):741-6, 2009.
•  V. Paschalis, M.G. Nikolaidis, A.Z. Jamurtas, Y. Koutedakis. “Differences between arms and legs on position sense and joint reaction angle.” J Strength Cond Res, 23(6):1652-1655, 2009.
• Angioi M, Metsios GS, Twitchett E, Koutedakis Y, Wyon M. “Association between physical fitness parameters and aesthetic competence in contemporary dancers.” J Dance Med Sci, 13(4):115-23, 2009.
• Twitchett EA, Angioi M, Koutedakis Y, Wyon M. “Video analysis of classical ballet performance.” J Dance Med Sci, 13(4):124-8, 2009.
• Twitchett EA, Koutedakis Y, Wyon M. “Physiological fitness and professional classical ballet performance: a brief review.” J Strength Cond Res, 23(9): 2732-40, 2009.
• G.S. Metsios, A. Stavropoulos-Kalinoglou, A.M. Nevill, K.M. Douglas, Y. Koutedakis, G.D. Kitas. “Cigarette smoking significantly increases basal metabolic rate in patients with rheumatoid arthritis”.  Ann Rheum Dis, 67(1): 70-73, 2008.
• G. Metsios, A. Flouris, Y. Koutedakis, A. Nevill “Criterion-related validity and test-retest repeatability of the 20m Square Shuttle Test”. J. Sci. Med. Sport, 11(2):214-217, 2008.
• A.D. Flouris, G.S. Metsios, A.Z. Jamurtas, Y. Koutedakis. “Sexual dimorphism in the acute effects of second-hand smoke on thyroid hormone secretion, inflammatory markers and vascular function”. Am J Physiol – Endoc M, 294 (2): E456-E462, 2008.
• Paschalis V, Nikolaidis MG, Giakas G, Jamurtas AZ, Owolabi EO, Koutedakis Y. “Position sense and reaction angle after eccentric exercise: the repeated bout effect”. Eur. J. Appl. Physiol., 103: 9-18, 2008.
• G.S. Metsios, A. Stavropoulos-Kalinoglou, J.C.S. Veldhuijzen van Zanten, G.J. Treharne, K.M.J. Douglas, Y. Koutedakis, G.D. Kitas. “Rheumatoid Arthritis, Cardiovascular Disease and Physical Exercise: A Systematic Review”. Rheumatology (Oxford), 47(3):239-248, 2008.
• G.S. Metsios, A. Stavropoulos-Kalinoglou, Y. Koutedakis, A.M. Nevill, K.M.J. Douglas, V.F. Panoulas, M. Kita and G.D. Kitas. “New resting energy expenditure prediction equations for patients with rheumatoid arthritis”. Rheumatology (Oxford, England) 47 (4): 500-506, 2008.
• T. Tofas, A.Z. Jamurtas, I.G. Fatouros, M.G. Nikolaidis, Y. Koutedakis, E. Sinouris, N. Papageorgakopoulou, D.A. Theoharis “Plyometric exercise increases serum indices of muscle and collagen breakdown.” J Strength Cond Res, 22(2): 490-496, 2008.
• Nikolaidis MG, Jamurtas AZ, Paschalis V, Fatouros IG, Koutedakis Y, Kouretas D. The effect of muscle-damaging exercise on blood and skeletal muscle oxidative stress: magnitude and time-course considerations. Sports Med., 38(7): 579-606, 2008.
• Y. Koutedakis. “Biomechanics in dance.” J Dance Med Sc., 12(3): 73-74, 2008.
• J.A. Russell, I. McEwan, Y. Koutedakis, M.A. Wyon. “Clinical anatomy and biomechanics of the ankle in dance.” J Dance Med Sci, 12(3): 75-82, 2008.
• Y. Koutedakis, E. Owolabi, M. Apostolos. “Dance Biomechanics: a tool for controlling health, fitness, and training”. J Dance Med Sci, 12(3):  83-90, 2008.
• A. Stavropoulos-Κalinoglou, G. Metsios, V.F. Panoulas, K.M.J. Douglas, A. Nevill, A.Z. Jamurtas, M. Kita, Y. Koutedakis, G.D. Kitas. “Cigarette smoking associates with body weight and muscle mass of patients with rheumatoid arthritis: a cross-sectional, observational study”.  Arthritis Res Ther, 10(3):R59, 2008.
• G.S. Metsios, A. Stavropoulos-Kalinoglou, V.F. Panoulas, Y. Koutedakis, G.D. Kitas. “Metabolism in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: resting energy expenditure, physical activity and diet-induced thermogenesis.” Invited Review. Recent Patents on Endocrine, Metabolic and Immune Drug Discovery: 2: 97-102, 2008.
• Paschalis V., Baltzopoulos V., Mougios V., Jamurtas A., Theoharis V., Karatzaferi C., and Koutedakis Y. “Isokinetic eccentric exercise of quadriceps femoris does not affect running economy” J Strength Cond Res, 22(4): 1222-7, 2008.
• Nikolaidis MG, Paschalis V, Giakas G, Fatouros IG, Sakellariou GK, Theodorou AA, Koutedakis Y, Jamurtas AZ. “Favorable and prolonged changes in blood lipid profile after muscle-damaging exercise.” Med Sci Sports Exerc, 40(8):1483-9, 2008.
• A.D. Flouris, C. Bouziotas, A.D. Christoloulos, Y. Koutedakis. “Longitudinal preventive-screening cutoffs for metabolic syndrome in adolescents.” Int J Obesity, 32: 1506-12, 2008.
• E.A. Twitchett, M. Angioi, G.S. Metsios, Y. Koutedakis, M. Wyon. “Body composition and ballet injury: A preliminary study.” Med Probl Perf Artists, 23(3): 93-98, 2008.
• Sakkas GK, Karatzaferi C, Zintzaras E,  Giannaki CD,  Liakopoulos V, Lavdas E, Damani E, Fezoulidis I, Koutedakis Y and Stefanidis I. “Liver fat, visceral adiposity and sleep disturbances contribute to insulin resistance and glucose intolerance in dialysis patients.” Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol, 295: R1721-R1729, 2008.