Laboratory of Physical Education and Sport - Physical Performance Division

The laboratory is a modern, interdisciplinary research unit in sport and exercise science, bringing together experienced faculty members, postgraduate researchers, and PhD candidates. Its research activities encompass athletic performance assessment, training and competition load monitoring, exercise physiology and biochemistry, muscle function, body composition, bone health, fatigue, recovery, motor development, and injury prevention. Collectively, the faculty members have produced approximately 750 scientific publications and received more than 20,000 citations, reflecting the laboratory’s strong international research presence and scientific impact. Advanced technologies, including Kinexon IMU and LPS systems, Polar Team Pro GPS, DXA, bioelectrical impedance analysis, and specialized biochemical equipment, support high-quality basic and applied research.

Laboratory Details

Laboratory Title: Laboratory of Physical Education and Sport - Physical Performance Division

Faculty: School of Physical Education, Sport Science and Occupational Therapy

School: Department of Physical Education and Sport Science

Email: achatzin@phyed.duth.gr

Telephone: (+30) 25310 74719

Website:

Official Gazette of Establishment:

Introduction - Presentation

The laboratory is a modern, interdisciplinary research unit in sport and exercise science, bringing together experienced faculty members, postgraduate researchers, and PhD candidates. Its research activities encompass athletic performance assessment, training and competition load monitoring, exercise physiology and biochemistry, muscle function, body composition, bone health, fatigue, recovery, motor development, and injury prevention. Collectively, the faculty members have produced approximately 750 scientific publications and received more than 20,000 citations, reflecting the laboratory’s strong international research presence and scientific impact. Advanced technologies, including Kinexon IMU and LPS systems, Polar Team Pro GPS, DXA, bioelectrical impedance analysis, and specialized biochemical equipment, support high-quality basic and applied research.

Field of Research

The laboratory focuses on the assessment of athletic performance, training and competition load, body composition, bone health, exercise metabolism, fatigue, and recovery. Its research integrates advanced technologies for indoor and outdoor movement tracking, physiological monitoring, dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, bioelectrical impedance analysis, and exercise biochemistry. The laboratory supports both applied and experimental studies in athletes and physically active populations, aiming to optimize performance, monitor training adaptations, and promote health and injury prevention.

Laboratory Members

Name	Position/Capacity	Email	Telephone
Chatzinikolaou Athanasios	Faculty member	achatzin@phyed.duth.gr	2531039718
Kampas Antonios	Faculty member	akampas@phyed.duth.gr	2531039718
Avloniti Alexandra	Faculty member	alavloni@phyed.duth.gr	2531039718
Zaras Nikolaos	Faculty member	nzaras@phyed.duth.gr	2531039718
Fotinakis Panagiotis	Faculty member	pfotinak@phyed.duth.gr	2531039718
Stampoulis Theodoros	Faculty member	tstampou@ot.duth.gr	2531039718
Kokkotis Christos	Faculty member	ckokkoti@ot.duth.gr	2531039718
Knsizoglou Ioannis	Faculty member	iokansiz@ot.duth.gr	2531039718
Protopapa Maria	Postgraduate researcher	mprotopa@phyed.duth.gr	2531039718
Pantazis Pergaminelis Dimitrios	PhD Candidate	dpantazi@phyed.duth.gr	2531039718
Balampanos Dimitrios	PhD Candidate	dimibala10@phyed.duth.gr	2531039718
Retzepis Nikolaos Orestis	PhD Candidate	nretzepi@phyed.duth.gr	2531039718
Paraskevopoulos Gerasimos	PhD Candidate	geparask@phyed.duth.gr	2531039718
Aggelakis Panagiotis	PhD Candidate	pangelak@phyed.duth.gr	2531039718
Chatzichristos Konstantinos	PhD Candidate	kchatzic@phyed.duth.gr	2531039718

Featured Research Programs

Programme Title	Duration	Funding
THE CONTRIBUTION OF DEEP LEARNING IN WORKLOAD MONITORING AND ANALYSIS IN INDOOR TEAM SPORTS (DLS-ΥΠ3ΤΑ-0559995)	14 Μήνες	European Union – NextGenerationEU through the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF) for the period 2022–2025, with the contribution of the National Public Investment Programme (PIP) and national resources covering VAT.
Prevention of InjuRies in team spOrts usiNg MAchine learNing and AI technologies (IRONMAN- ΥΠ3ΤΑ-0561410)	14 Μήνες	The project is co-funded by the European Union – NextGenerationEU through the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF) for the period 2022–2025, with the contribution of the National Public Investment Programme (PIP) and national resources covering VAT.
Erasmus +BASKETBALL ADAPTATION FOR ALL (BasketAll)	18 Μήνες	ERASMUS-SPORT-2023

Featured Publications

Chronological Order	APP	doi
Chatzinikolaou A, Kansizoglou I, Gasteratos A, Pistikos G, Papavasilopoulos I, Kaddas P, Pantazis D, Aggelakis P, Balampanos D, Dendrinos A, et al. Proof of Concept for a Deep-Learning Computer-Vision System to Quantify External Load in Basketball: Comparison with Local Positioning Systems. Algorithms. 2026; 19(6):464.		10.3390/a19060464
Tsenos M, Kokkotis C, Draganidis D, Alibertis N, Pantazis D, Tsimeas P, Poulios A, Zaras N, Malliou P, Tsaousidis I, et al. Injury Prediction and Risk Modelling in Team Sports Using Artificial Intelligence and Sensor-Based Monitoring: A Scoping Review. Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology. 2026; 11(2):204. https://doi.org/10.3390/jfmk11020204		10.3390/sports12110287
Avloniti A, Retzepis N-O, Stampoulis T, Kokkotis C, Balampanos D, Draganidis D, Protopapa M, Pantazis D, Aggelakis P, Foteinakis PF, et al. Does Basketball Training Load Provide an Adequate Amount of Physical Activity for Pre-Peak Height Velocity Athletes? Applied Sciences. 2026; 16(8):3951.		10.3390/app16042037
Pantazis D, Kokkotis C, Zaras N, Balampanos D, Avloniti A, Stampoulis T, Foteinakis PF, Frazis Christou P, Papoulias G, Aggelakis P, et al. Individualized Physical Performance Metrics in 3 × 3 Basketball Games Using Match-Play Data. Applied Sciences. 2026; 16(4):2037.		10.3390/obesities5030051
Retzepis N-O, Avloniti A, Kokkotis C, Protopapa M, Stampoulis T, Gkachtsou A, Pantazis D, Balampanos D, Smilios I, Chatzinikolaou A. Identifying Key Factors for Predicting the Age at Peak Height Velocity in Preadolescent Team Sports Athletes Using Explainable Machine Learning. Sports. 2024; 12(11):287.		10.3390/jfmk11020204
Protopapa M, Draganidis D, Avloniti A, Fatouros IG, Stampoulis T, Pantazis D, Balampanos D, Retzepis NO, Poulios A, Zaras N, et al. Multicomponent-Type High-Intensity Interval Training Improves Vitamin D Status in Adults with Overweight/Obesity. Obesities. 2025; 5(3):51.		10.3390/app16083951
Pantazis D, Avloniti A, Dimitrios D, Stampoulis T, Protopapa M, Kokkotis C, Balampanos D, Arsenis S, Poulios A, Papanikolaou K, et al. The Effect of Protein Supplementation and Playing Time on Recovery Kinetics During a Congested Basketball Schedule. Nutrients. 2025; 17(1):128.		10.3390/nu17010128