The University of Thessaly (UTH), Greece
The University of Thessaly (UTH, Greece) is a research and education institution with an outstanding track record in EU. UTH has a strong presence in the academic ranking of universities due to the high impact research and scientific performance of the academic staff.
With >500 research & teaching staff, >9000 undergraduate and >1400 postgraduate students, the UTH is a leading university in Southeast Europe in the areas of physical education and sports sciences, nutrition and dietetics, health and medical sciences, veterinary science, engineering, and education. It is well known for its remarkably rich research output and its high-quality research-led-teaching.
The last four years UTH has been successfully operating relevant projects to ERASMUS SPORT. The UTH will act as a key partner in planning and organizing the project’s International Scientific Symposium, while they will play a key role in planning educational activities for engagement in physical activity and healthy lifestyles for both healthy and clinical populations.
Project teams, staff and experts
Metsios George
Full Professor of Clinical Exercise Physiology Role/Tasks in Mountain Games: Lead instructor in educational activities of the project, regarding clinical populations and disadvantaged groups, Project Quality Team member
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Full Professor of clinical exercise physiology. He has secured funds for research of > €10 million. His research has been used globally to improve the clinical management of patients with chronic diseases. According to a Stanford University report, he is among the top 2% of most cited scientists for the year 2024.
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Dr Metsios is a Full Professor of Clinical Exercise Physiology at the University of Thessaly in Greece and the University of Wolverhampton in the United Kingdom. He has published over 200 articles, many in high-impact scientific journals, and has secured more than 8 million euros in research funding from European organisations. His work has contributed to improving clinical management for patients with chronic conditions worldwide. He collaborates with Action Heart, the largest cardiac rehabilitation centre in England. His research examines the benefits of exercise and physical activity on health outcomes in patients with chronic inflammatory and cardiovascular diseases, as well as cancer. Dr Metsios is an elected member of the European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR), the leading organisation for health guidelines in autoimmune diseases, and serves as a reviewer for prominent scientific journals and funding agencies.
Athanasios Jamurtas
Professor of biochemistry of exerciseRole/Tasks in Mountain Games: Lead instructor in educational activities of the project, regarding physical activity and healthy diet
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Full Professor of biochemistry of exercise. His research interests focus on the effect of endogenous opiates on metabolism during exercise, the effect of exercise on the redox state and the role of exercise and inflammation in the damage of muscle and connective tissue. He is the author of two books and has published over 200
articles in peer-reviewed international journals. He has won funding of over €3.5 million from national and European programs. According to a Stanford University report, he is among the top 2% of most cited scientists for the year 2024. -
Dr Thanasis Jamurtas is a professor of Exercise Biochemistry at the Department of Physical Education and Sports Science, University of Thessaly, and teaches in the graduate program at the Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology. He holds a degree from Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, an MSc from Syracuse University, and a PhD from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. His research focuses on endogenous opioids and their metabolism during exercise, the effects of exercise on redox state, and the impact of exercise and inflammation on muscle and connective tissue damage. He has authored two books, published over 200 peer-reviewed articles, and secured more than 3.5 million euros in national and European funding. According to a Stanford University report, he is among the top 2% of most-cited scientists in 2023.
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Full Professor of biochemistry of exercise. He has successfully claimed research funds from National and different European organizations exceeding €4 million. His scientific work has been used worldwide to improve health and performance in individuals with chronic non-communicable diseases and in general population. He is consistently in the top 2% of scientists in all scientific fields worldwide. His research focuses on a) redox physiology, b) the effect of exercise and physical activity on the health of individuals with chronic non-communicable diseases such as those with obesity and older adults, c) the interaction of nutrition and exercise on human biological adaptations.
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Dr Ioannis Fatouros is a Full Professor of Exercise Biochemistry in the Department of Physical Education and Sports Science at the University of Thessaly, Greece. He has published over 180 articles in high-impact scientific journals and secured more than 2 million euros in research funding from national and European organisations. His work has been applied worldwide to enhance health and performance in both clinical and athletic populations. Dr Fatouros ranks among the top 2% of scientists globally across all fields. His research interests include redox physiology, the impact of exercise and physical activity on individuals with chronic non-communicable diseases such as obesity, the effects of exercise on older adults, and the interaction between diet and exercise in human biological adaptation.
Professor of biochemistry of exerciseIoannis Fatouros
Role/Tasks in Mountain Games: "President of the International Scientific Symposium Lead instructor in educational activities of the project, regarding physical activity promotion
Nikolaos Komoutos
Professor of sport and exercise psychology.-
Full Professor of sport and exercise psychology. Expert in applied psychology and engaging populations in physical activity through motivational techniques.
Role/Tasks in Mountain Games: Lead instructor in educational activities of the project, regarding mental health issues; campaign implementation in Greece
Andreas Flouris
Research AssociateRole/Tasks in Mountain Games: Lead instructor in educational activities regarding activities in extreme environments and environmental health issues
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Andreas Flouris is a Professor of Physiology at the University of Thessaly, specializing in how climate change and environmental stressors impact human health, productivity, and society. He has published widely on these topics and combines his scientific work with advisory roles in government agencies and international organizations, including the World Health Organization and the International Labour Organization. In addition to his research efforts, Dr Flouris is a climate action advocate, working with national and international institutions to support climate action for a more sustainable world. His work has earned him recognition on the TIME100 Next list of future global leaders. His name is included in the top 2% of scientists in 2024 in all scientific fields worldwide.
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Dr Andreas Flouris is a Professor in the Department of Physical Education and Sports Science at the University of Thessaly and a Visiting Professor at the University of Ottawa. At the University of Thessaly, he is also Director of the Master’s Program “Applied Kinesiology in the Armed Forces and Security Forces” and a member of the Council for Research, Innovation, and Excellence. For over 15 years, he has advised governments and national and international organisations, such as the Ministries of Labour of Greece and Qatar, the Bank of Greece, the European Trade Union Confederation, as well as the World Health Organisation and the International Labour Organisation on the impact of environmental factors on health and productivity. He has published more than 250 articles on these topics in prestigious scientific journals and contributes to large-scale research projects in Europe, the Americas, and Africa. He is recognised by Stanford University as a member of the top 2% of the global scientific community (World’s Top 2% Scientists). He ranks at the top of the AD Scientific Index and Research.com in Environmental Sciences with an h-index of 58 and over 12,214 citations, placing him among the elite of researchers studying the impact of heat and climate change on human health.He is the only Greek scientist on the TIME100 Next list (2023) and is internationally recognised for his work in environmental physiology. He advocates for climate action and works with national and international organisations to advance sustainability initiatives