Ioannis G Fatouros

• PhD
• Professor (Associate) at University of Thessaly

Background/objectives: Despite being widely promoted, protein supplementation's overall effectiveness during demanding basketball schedules remains unclear. This study investigated whether increased protein intake can accelerate recovery of muscle function during a 6-day congested basketball microcycle consisting of three consecutive games while a...

Citation: Ispirlidis, I.; Pantazis, D.; Poulios, A.; Avloniti, A.; Stampoulis, T.; Michailidis, Y.; Troupkos, K.; Evangelou, E.; Draganidis, D.; Balampanos, D.; et al. The Effect of Intraset Rest Periods on External and Internal Load During Small-Sided Games in Soccer. Sports 2024, 12, 331. Abstract: The purpose of this study was to compare the int...

The objective of this randomized controlled trial was to examine if exercise training can counteract energy restriction‐induced impairment of mitochondrial capacity in skeletal muscle of 55–70‐years people with prediabetes and metabolic syndrome. The potential impact of sex was explored. Fifty sedentary men and women with prediabetes and metabolic...

Background Soccer is linked to an acute inflammatory response and the release of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Antioxidant supplements have shown promising effects in reducing muscle damage and oxidative stress and enhancing the recovery process after eccentric exercise. This critical review highlights the influence of antioxidant supplements on p...

Introduction The 2018 published World Health Organisation (WHO) Europe physical activity factsheet reports, specify agreed targets for physical activity and articulate the need to improve the education of medical doctors and healthcare practitioners in order to increase physical activity and reduce sedentary time in people at risk and/or living wit...

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is the predominant metabolic epidemic posing a major threat to global health. Growing evidence indicates that gut microbiota (GM) may critically influence the progression from normal glucose tolerance, to pre-diabetes, to T2D. On the other hand, regular exercise contributes to the prevention and/or treatment of the disease, an...

Poulios, A, Fotiou, C, Draganidis, D, Avloniti, A, Rosvoglou, A, Batrakoulis, A, Tsimeas, P, Papanikolaou, K, Deli, CK, Stampoulis, T, Douroudos, II, Chatzinikolaou, A, Jamurtas, AZ, and Fatouros, IG. The energy expenditure associated with body-weight resistance exercises of various movement patterns performed at different durations. J Strength Con...

This study aimed to characterize a Sideritis scardica extract (SidTea+TM) and investigate its effect on the physiological profile, metabolic health and redox status in healthy individuals. The chemical profile and antioxidant potential of the SidTea+TM extract were evaluated by UPLC-HRMS analysis and in vitro cell-free methods. Twenty-eight healthy...

Purpose To examine the recovery kinetics (i.e. time-dependent changes) of performance-related variables between two 120-min male football games performed three days apart with and without carbohydrate (CHO) supplementation. Methods 20 male players (20 ± 1 years; body fat: 14.9 ± 5.1%; VO 2max : 59.4 ± 3.7 mL•kg ⁻¹ •min ⁻¹ ) participated in two 120...

Background Although physical activity and exercise (PAE) offer several health advantages in the management of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), its systematic implementation in medical practice remains questionable. The aim of the study was to investigate Greek physicians’ knowledge, attitudes, intentions, abilities, and behavior (KAIAB) towards PA...

Purpose To determine the recovery kinetics of performance and exercise-induced muscle damage following different sprint-training protocols. Methods In a crossover design, ten male and female athletes (20.6 ± 2.4 years) performed 2 × (3 × 20 m: 2 min rest) and 1× (3 × 30 m: 3 min rest) of: (a) unresisted sprints (UST), (b) resisted sprints with 10%...

This study investigated the cardiac functional and the morphological adaptations because of two endurance training protocols. Untrained children (N = 30, age: 12–14 years) were divided into three groups (N = 10/group). The first group did not perform any session (CONTROL), the second performed ventilatory threshold endurance training (VTT) for 12 w...

INTRODUCTION: The increasing prevalence of overweight/obesity is a serious public health challenge negatively affecting more than one in two adults globally. Physical exercise is an essential component of an all-inclusive strategy for preventing, managing and treating obesity. In particular, a hybrid-type, multicomponent interval training programme...

Aim: We aimed to investigate the inter-individual variability in redox and physiological responses of antioxidant-deficient subjects after antioxidant supplementation. Methods: Two hundred individuals were sorted by plasma vitamin C levels. A low vitamin C group (n = 22) and a control group (n = 22) were compared in terms of oxidative stress and...

Physical activity (PA) is a key strategy for improving symptoms in people with rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMDs). The aim of this study was to investigate and rank the importance of known barriers and facilitators for engaging in PA, from the perspective of people living with RMD. Five hundred thirty-three people with RMD responded to a...

Purpose To investigate the association between redox status in erythrocytes and skeletal muscle with dietary nutrient intake and markers of physical fitness and habitual physical activity (PA). Methods Forty-five young physically active men were assessed for body composition, dietary nutrient intake, muscle strength, cardiorespiratory capacity and...

In the present topical mini-review, the beneficial impact of small-sided game football training for the increasing elderly global population is presented. As a multicomponent type of physical activity, football training executed on small pitched with 4-6 players in each team is targeting a myriad of physiological systems and causes positive adaptat...

This study investigated whether Greek Orthodox Christian fasting during Holy Week can change body composition and cardiometabolic parameters in overweight individuals, and whether these changes are maintained one week after fasting cessation (FC). Body composition and physiological and biochemical parameters were measured before, immediately after...

Exercise is an effective tool for managing and treating type II diabetes and may be a useful component of a diabetes management program. Both short- or long-term exercise interventions can improve physical fitness, metabolic health, and cardiovascular function in individuals with poor glycemic control. Incorporating aerobic and resistance exercise...

Impaired activity of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis (HPA-axis) is evident in alcohol use disorder (AUD), and may be implicated in various nutritional and metabolic alterations often seen in individuals with this disorder. The present study examined a possible correlation between HPA-axis activity and nutritional status components in indivi...

Background High intensity resistance exercise may temporarily induce vascular dysfunction mediated by pro-oxidant and pro-inflammatory pathways. Whether antioxidant supplements ameliorate this dysfunction has not been clarified. Purpose In the present study we aimed to evaluate the effect of the antioxidant N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) on vascular func...

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) has significantly affected different physiological systems, with a potentially profound effect on athletic performance. However, to date, such effect has not been neither addressed, nor investigated. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate fitness indicators, along with the respiratory and metabolic p...

INTRODUCTION: The rising prevalence of overweight and obesity is a major public health challenge negatively affecting more than one in two adults worldwide. Regular exercise is a fundamental component of a comprehensive strategy for preventing, managing and treating obesity. Particularly, a hybrid-type, multicomponent interval training programme (D...

Purpose: This study evaluated how extended match time (90 + 30 min) affected physiological responses and fatigue in male soccer players. Methods: Twenty competitive players (age 21 ± 2 [±SD] years; VO2max 59 ± 4 ml/min/kg) completed an experimental match with their activity pattern and HR assessed throughout the game, while countermovement jump...

Background: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is associated with aggravated oxidation capacity and utero-placental circulation, while aerobic exercise could improve both. The study aims to assess oxidation capacity and utero-placental circulation before and after a bout of aerobic exercise in GDM and uncomplicated pregnancies.; Methods: In this c...

PURPOSE: The rising prevalence of overweight and obesity is considered a major public health issue negatively affecting more than one in two adults globally. Overweight and obese adults demonstrate lower musculoskeletal fitness levels compared to normoweight individuals resulting in reduced mobility, poor functional capacity, physical limitations,...

Background: Although regular exercise is recommended for preventing and treating overweight/obesity, the most effective exercise type for improving cardiometabolic health in individuals with overweight/obesity remains largely undecided. This network meta-analysis aimed to evaluate and rank the comparative efficacy of 5 exercise modalities on cardio...

Regular exercise has been reported as a fundamental piece of the management and treatment puzzle of obesity, playing a vital role in numerous psychological indicators. However, it is unclear whether high-intensity interval training (HIIT) can improve critical psychological health markers such as adherence, exercise enjoyment, affective responses, h...

This study examined the dose-response effects of a 1-year hybrid-type, multicomponent interval training programme (DoIT) on various musculoskeletal fitness parameters in inactive overweight and obese adults in a gym setting. Ninety-seven middle-aged (44.8±5.2 years) individuals with overweight/obesity (31.2±5.7 kg/m²) (66% female) were randomly ass...

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to (i) assess hydration levels in elite male football players during a national team training camp before and during qualifying matches, (ii) evaluate the effect of coaching strategies for hydration based on feedback from hydration monitoring, and (iii) assess possible relationships between hydration status a...

There is convincing evidence to suggest that exercise interventions can significantly improve disease-related outcomes as well as comorbidities in rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMDs). All exercise interventions should be appropriately defined by their dose, which comprises of two components: a) the FITT (frequency, intensity, time and typ...

Aging is associated with the development of chronic low-grade systemic inflammation (LGSI) characterized by increased circulating levels of proinflammatory cytokines and acute phase proteins such as C-reactive protein (CRP). Collective evidence suggests that elevated levels of inflammatory mediators such as CRP, interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necr...

Introduction: Overweight and obesity are systematically growing at an alarming rate globally. Regular exercise is considered as a critical piece of the obesity management puzzle. However, the most effective exercise type to improve glucose control, lipid metabolism, and blood pressure in this population remains unknown. Purpose: Thus, the present n...

Pesticide residues are largely found in daily consumed food because of their extensive use in farming and their long half-life, which prolongs their presence in the environment. Many of these pesticides act as endocrine-disrupting chemicals after pre- or postnatal exposure, significantly affecting, among other things, the time of puberty onset, pro...

The crosstalk between the exercising muscle and the adipose tissue, mediated by myokines and metabolites, derived from both tissues during exercise has created a controversy between animal and human studies with respect to the impact of exercise on the browning process. The aim of this study was to investigate whether co-culturing of C2C12 myotubes...

This randomized controlled trial investigated the effects of a 5-month high-intensity hybrid-type neuromuscular training program with nontraditional implements on cardiometabolic health, redox status, and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk in inactive overweight and obese women. Forty-nine inactive female participants with overweight and obesity (ag...

HIIT is an effective exercise mode inducing meaningful benefits on physical fitness, metabolic health, and cardiovascular function. This training approach requires adults with metabolic diseases to engage in physically and mentally demanding conditions with respect to the exercise intensity commonly used in other modalities. However, emerging resea...

We combined game activity analyses with skeletal muscle phenotypes and comprehensive physiological testing to elucidate factors of importance for physical performance in elite women's football. GPS‐data from an experimental game, sprint and endurance testing, and muscle tissue analysis of metabolic enzyme activity, protein expression and fiber type...

PURPOSE: Overweight and obesity are considered a major global public health issue. Although regular physical activity is recommended to overweight and obese adults for weight management, however, the most effective exercise type to improve body composition in this population remains unknown. Thus, the present network meta-analysis (NMA) was conduct...

Overweight and obesity are a rapidly growing public health problem affecting 2 in 3 adults worldwide. Despite the fact that regular exercise is recommended to overweight and obese adults for improving health and performance, however, the most effective exercise type to improve cardiorespiratory fitness, muscular strength, and central adiposity in t...

The present study examined skeletal muscle metabolism and changes in repeated sprint performance during match play for n = 20 competitive elite women outfield players. We obtained musculus vastus lateralis biopsies and blood samples before, after, and following intense periods in each half of a friendly match, along with 5 × 30‐meter sprint tests a...

PURPOSE: Overweight and obesity are considered a major global public health issue. Although regular physical activity is recommended to overweight and obese adults for weight management, however, the most effective exercise type to improve body composition in this population remains unknown. Thus, the present network meta-analysis (NMA) was conduct...

Spirulina plantensis is a popular supplement which has been shown to have antioxidant and performance enhancing properties. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of spirulina supplementation on (a) redox status (b) muscle performance and (c) muscle damage following an eccentric bout of exercise that would induce muscle damage. Twent...

It is well-documented that chronic/regular exercise improves the cardiovascular function, decreases oxidative stress and enhances the antioxidant capacity in coronary artery disease (CAD) patients. However, there is insufficient evidence regarding the chronic effects of different types of training and detraining on cardiovascular function and the l...

Background Soccer-specific speed-endurance training induces short-term neuromuscular fatigue and performance deterioration over a 72-h recovery period, associated with elevated markers of exercise-induced muscle damage. We compared the effects of whey vs. soy protein supplementation on field activity, performance, muscle damage and redox responses...

Background: Motor competence, defined as a person’s ability to execute different motor skills, is directly associated with children’s physical, mental, and social development and may be essential in encouraging an active lifestyle in childhood. Although health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in children has been described as an individual’s subject...

Skeletal muscle satellite cells (SCs) are indispensable for tissue regeneration, remodeling and growth. Following myotrauma, SCs are activated, and assist in tissue repair. Exercise-induced muscle damage (EIMD) is characterized by a pronounced inflammatory response and the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Experimental evidence suggests...

The objective of this study was to identify the most important health/fitness trends while examining the impact of various demographics of respondents on the top trends for the first time in Greece. An online survey was sent to 3,487 professionals who worked in the health/fitness sector using the methodology of similar regional and worldwide studie...

Physical exercise has been proposed as an adjunct in addiction treatment, including tobacco cigarette smoking. The physiological and biochemical mechanisms that could be affected by physical exercise in smokers and that could help quit smoking have not been investigated yet. Objective: To investigate whether the effects of acute exercise on smoki...

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0202390.].

This study investigated the effects of a 10-month high-intensity interval-type neuromuscular training programme on musculoskeletal fitness in overweight and obese women. Forty-nine inactive females (36.4 ± 4.4 yrs) were randomly assigned to either a control (N = 21), a training (N = 14, 10 months) or a training-detraining group (N = 14, 5 months tr...

It is unclear how high-intensity, interval-type nontraditional exercise training programs can be feasible and effective options for inactive obese individuals in a real-world gym setting. This randomized controlled trial investigated the hypothesis that a 10-month high-intensity, group interval-type neuromuscular training program (DoIT) with adjunc...

Redox status (RS) perturbations and inflammation are fundamental features of chronic kidney disease (CKD) that are substantially exacerbated in end-stage renal disease (ESRD). This study aimed at investigating the efficacy of a 6-month intradialytic exercise training program on RS, inflammation and physical performance in patients with ESRD. Twenty...

INTRODUCTION: Obesity is systematically growing at an alarming rate worldwide and inactive individuals with obesity are likely to exhibit raised reactive oxygen species and/or reduced antioxidant capacity elevating oxidative stress that promotes physiological dysfunction. On the other hand, high-intensity interval training (HIIT), small group train...

Obesity epidemic is a complex and multifactorial chronic condition affecting one in three adults globally while it is associated with high metabolic risk factors enhancing chronic illness. On the other hand, high-intensity interval training (HIIT), group training, body weight training, and functional fitness training have been recently reported as s...

Insulin resistance and diabetes mellitus are common consequences of iron overload in the pancreas of beta-thalassemia major (BTM) patients. Moreover, postprandial blood glucose elevations are linked to major vascular complications. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of a bout of acute resistance exercise following breakfast co...

Derangements in phosphate and calcium homeostasis are common in patients with beta-thalassemia. Fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) is among the main hormones regulating phosphate levels, while several studies underline an interplay between iron (Fe) and FGF23. Herein, we investigated, for the first time, the serum intact molecule (iFGF23) and the...

Purpose: To examine the recovery kinetics of exercise-induced muscle damage (EIMD), neuromuscular fatigue, and performance following small-sided games (SSGs) of different densities in soccer. Methods: Ten male players randomly completed 3 trials: a control trial (no SSGs), 4v4 SSGs (62.5 m2/player), and 8v8 SSGs (284.4 m2/player). External and i...

Although low levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) are beneficial for the organism ensuring normal cell and vascular function, the overproduction of ROS and increased oxidative stress levels play a significant role in the onset and progression of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). This paper aims at providing a thorough review of the available liter...

Purpose: To determine the recovery kinetics of performance, muscle damage, and neuromuscular fatigue following 2 speed-endurance production training (SEPT) protocols in soccer. Methods: Ten well-trained, male soccer athletes randomly completed 3 trials: work-to-rest ratio (SEPT) 1:5, SEPT/1:8, and a control trial. Training load during SEPT was m...

Purpose To investigate the association of the hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular (HPT) axis with pro- and anti- oxidation, in relation to puberty and obesity in boys, before and after an aerobic exercise bout. Methods This is a cross-sectional human observational study of 92 healthy normal-weight, obese pre- and early- pubertal boys that underwent...

Protein supplementation is a major nutritional practice among professional and amateur team-sport athletes representing a market of $5 billion in the USA alone. This practice, however, may not be supported by evidence-based science. Our objective as to present a thorough review of literature investigating the effects of protein supplementation on p...

Background: Muscle satellite cells (SCs) are crucial for muscle regeneration following muscle trauma. Acute skeletal muscle damage results in inflammation and the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) which may be implicated in SCs activation. Protection of these cells from oxidative damage is essential to ensure sufficient muscle regenerati...

INTRODUCTION: Sedentary obese adults demonstrate impaired functional capacity while the obesity epidemic is expanding at an alarming rate worldwide. On the other hand, high-intensity interval training (HIIT), small group training, and functional fitness are currently the most prevalent trends in the global fitness industry. PURPOSE: This randomized...

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the reliability and reproducibility of the physiological and overload features of the Yo-Yo intermittent endurance test level 2 (Yo-Yo IE2) in competitive male soccer (n = 20), basketball (n = 11), and volleyball players (n = 10). The participants completed Yo-Yo IE2 tests on three separate occasions with a...

Background Muscle satellite cells (SCs) are crucial for muscle regeneration following muscle trauma. Acute skeletal muscle damage results in inflammation and production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) which may be implicated in SCs activation. Protection of these cells from oxidative damage is essential to ensure sufficient muscle regeneration. Th...

Background Muscle satellite cells (SCs) are crucial for muscle regeneration following muscle trauma. Acute skeletal muscle damage results in inflammation and production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) which may be implicated in SCs activation. Protection of these cells from oxidative damage is essential to ensure sufficient muscle regeneration. Th...

Obesity is associated with high mortality and morbidity rates and low levels of quality of life among adults globally. It is critical to examine evidence-based practices for developing lifestyle behavioral changes such as physical movement and structured exercise training. The DoIT protocol, a high-intensity interval exercise training (HIIT) progra...

Background Muscle satellite cells (SCs) are crucial for muscle regeneration following muscle trauma. Acute skeletal muscle damage results in inflammation and production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) which may be implicated in SCs activation. Protection of these cells from oxidative damage is essential to ensure sufficient muscle regeneration. Th...

Objectives: Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency, theoretically, renders red blood cells (RBC) susceptible to oxidative stress. G6PD deficiency has also been found in other types of cells than RBC, such as leukocytes and myocytes, where an inefficient protection against oxidative stress may occur too. Glutathione (GSH), a significan...

The health benefits of exercise are widely accepted and have been used to prevent and treat chronic diseases. Exercise, however, is also associated with production of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS) which, when in excess, can exert toxic effects such as oxidation of lipids and proteins as well as DNA damage. Because unfavourable effects...

Purpose: The purpose of the present study was to investigate whether a) modification in muscle architecture due to training intervention and b) neuromuscular explosive field tests results may predict competition performance in track and field throwing athletes. Methods: Eleven track and field throwers completed 10 weeks of specific training that wa...

Background: Muscle satellite cells (SCs) are crucial for muscle regeneration following muscle trauma. Acute skeletal muscle damage results in inflammation and production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) which may be implicated in SCs activation. Protection of these cells from oxidative damage is essential to ensure sufficient muscle regeneration. T...