Nikos Comoutos (former Zourbanos), Ph.D

Psychology of Physical Education and Sport

Nikos Comoutos (formerly Zourbanos) is Professor in Psychology of Physical Education and Sport at the Department of Physical Education and Sport Science, School of Physical Education, Sport Science and Dietetics, University of Thessaly, Greece. He earned his B.Sc. in Physical Education and Sport Science from the University of Thessaly in 2002, his M.Sc. in Applied Sport and Exercise Psychology from the University of Wales, Bangor, in 2004 with support from the Onassis Foundation, and his Ph.D. in Physical Education and Quality of Life in 2009 through the University of Thessaly and Democritus University of Thrace, supported by the State Scholarships Foundation. He completed postdoctoral research through the EU FP7 PAPA project (2009–2013) and the national THALIS project on exercise, smoking, and alcohol prevention and cessation (2013–2015), and he has continued to contribute to funded research, including the ENLITE project (2024–2026). His research focuses on self-talk, motivation, self-regulation, performance enhancement in sport and physical education, and interventions that promote well-being and healthier behaviors through physical activity. Promoted to Professor in 2023, he currently serves as Secretary General of the International Society of Sport Psychology (ISSP) for the 2025–2029 term. He is also Associate Editor of the International Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology, serves on editorial boards including the Journal of Sport Sciences and Scientific Reports, and previously served as President of the Greek Society of Sport and Exercise Psychology from 2015 to 2021.

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