Gheorghe Balint | Educational Data Analysis | Research Excellence Award

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Prof. Dr. Gheorghe Balint | Educational Data Analysis | Research Excellence Award

Vasile Alecsandri University | Romania

Prof. Dr. Gheorghe Balint is a distinguished academic and researcher in physical education, sports sciences, and winter sports, with over three decades of experience in higher education and international sports organizations. He holds a Doctorate in Pedagogy, recognized as a Doctor in Physical Education and Sports, and a habilitation in optimizing training in faculties of physical education and sports. Currently a Ph.D. supervisor at “Dunărea de Jos” University of Galați, he has served as Professor and Director of the Department of Physical Education and Sport Performance at “Vasile Alecsandri” University of Bacău, as well as Vice-Dean and Head of Chair for Sportive Games. His teaching expertise spans winter sports, association football, coaching, and professional sports pedagogy, while his research interests focus on training optimization, programmed teaching, assessment of theoretical knowledge, and sports performance evaluation. Prof. Balint has coordinated national and international projects, authored multiple books and book chapters, and published numerous ISI-indexed and peer-reviewed articles. He has been recognized with prestigious international honors, including the FIEP Gold and Silver Crosses of Honor and ambassadorial appointments in physical education. Through his leadership, research, and mentorship, Prof. Balint has significantly contributed to the development of physical education, sports science, and international collaboration in training and coaching excellence.

Profile : Scopus

Featured Publications

Grosu, V. T., Vari, H. I., Ordean, M.-N., & Grosu, E. F. (2022). Increasing self-confidence in students from different universities through exercises in body technique and dance therapy. Conference Paper.

Luptáková, G., Argajová, J., Balga, T., & Antala, B. (2025). Team teaching models in primary physical education: Effects on basic motor competencies and self-reported physical literacy. Article.

Šiška, Ľ., Balint, G., Zentko, J., & Voinea, N. L. (2025). Use of a mobile phone for assessing the intensity of strength exercises – Pilot study. Preprint.

Luptáková, G., Argajová, J., Balga, T., & Antala, B. (2025). Team teaching models in primary physical education: Effects on basic motor competencies and self-reported physical literacy. Preprint.

(2024). Changes in selected movement abilities through the use of movement games in physical education lessons at the gymnasium level. Journal of Physical Education and Sport.

Gracia Cristina Villodres | Descriptive Analytics | Best Research Article Award

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Mrs. Gracia Cristina Villodres |  Descriptive Analytics | Best Research Article Award

University of Granada | Spain

Gracia Cristina Villodres is a predoctoral fellow at the University of Granada, specializing in physical activity, health, and education. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Primary Education with a specialization in Physical Education (2020), and two Master’s Degrees—one in Research and Innovation in Curriculum and Teacher Training (2021) and another in Physical Activity and Health (2022). Currently completing her PhD (FPU Fellowship 2021–2025) on healthy habits, cognitive function, and academic performance, she is also pursuing a Degree in Psychology. Her research interests focus on physical activity, body image, academic achievement, and mental health in youth populations. She has participated in four competitive research projects, serving as both researcher and principal investigator, and has published over 50 book chapters with ISBN. Her scholarly impact includes an H-index of 4 in Web of Science, 12 in Scopus, and 5 in Google Scholar, with a total of over 55 citations across databases. She has completed a research stay at the University of Bern and received the University of Granada Talent Award (2022). Through her teaching and research, she promotes evidence-based approaches to education and health, aiming to enhance well-being, inclusion, and performance in school and university settings.

Profiles : Scopus | Orcid | Google Scholar

Featured Publications

Villodres, G. C., Pérez-Díaz, J.-J., Salas-Montoro, J.-A., & Muros, J. J. (2025). Sex-based differences in lifestyle behaviours, self-esteem, and academic performance: A structural equation model in high-socioeconomic-status school-aged youth from southern Spain. Children.

Villodres, G. C., Rodríguez-Mérida, M., Vizcaíno-Cuenca, R., & Muros, J. J. (2025). Effectiveness of physical education interventions on mental health in children and adolescents: A systematic review of wellbeing and distress across educational levels. Adolescent Research Review.

Villodres, G. C., Campos-Pérez, L. M., Salvador-Pérez, F., Muros, J. J., & Vizcaíno-Cuenca, R. (2025). Relación entre el uso de redes sociales, hábitos saludables y factores psicológicos relacionados con la percepción de la imagen corporal en estudiantado universitario. Retos.

Navidad Cobo, L., Villodres, G. C., & Padial-Ruz, R. (2025). Efecto de un programa de actividad física y educación nutricional para la mejora de hábitos saludables en educación primaria. Retos.

Villodres, G. C., Salvador-Pérez, F., & Muros, J. J. (2024). Factors associated with Mediterranean diet adherence in a sample of high socio-economic status children from southern Spain. Public Health Nutrition.

Vassilis Barkoukis | Human Behavior Modeling | Best Researcher Award

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Prof. Vassilis Barkoukis | Human Behavior Modeling | Best Researcher Award

Aristotle University Of Thessaloniki | Greece

A distinguished scholar in Sport and Exercise Psychology, this academic serves as an Associate Professor at the Department of Physical Education and Sport Science, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. Holding dual PhDs—one in Human Performance and Health from Aristotle University (2001) and another in Social and Sport Psychology from the University of Sheffield (2018)—their work bridges psychology, education, and athletic performance. With extensive teaching experience across undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral levels in Greece and Romania, they have contributed courses in sport psychology, pedagogy, research methods, and curriculum development. Their research focuses on motivation, teaching climates, physical activity pedagogy, health promotion, and psychological aspects of sport performance and behavior. The scholar has participated in 37 funded national and international research projects, published over 150 peer-reviewed papers and proceedings, and contributed to 18 book chapters and 4 edited volumes. Recognized with multiple awards, including the “Researcher of the Year” (2022) and National Scholarship Foundation Postdoctoral Fellowship, their work has achieved significant global impact with over 4,111 citations, an Documents 144, and an i10-index of 34. Their career reflects a deep commitment to advancing sport science, education, and health promotion through innovative, evidence-based research and teaching excellence.

Profile : Scopus

Featured Publications

Barkoukis, V., et al. (2025). Transforming anti-doping education with web-based interactive programs and applications: A scoping review. Emerging Trends in Drugs, Addictions and Health. (Open access).

Barkoukis, V., et al. (2025). Enhancing preschoolers’ motor creativity through playfulness and social engagement. Children. (Open access).

Barkoukis, V., et al. (2025). The role of school environment on the sustainable development of pre-schoolers’ motor creativity. Sports. (Open access).

Barkoukis, V., et al. (2025). Athletes from Great Britain report greater doping likelihood than Greek and Italian athletes: A cross-sectional survey of over 4,000 athletes. Performance Enhancement and Health. (Open access, 1 citation).

Barkoukis, V., et al. (2025). Evaluation of a sports integrity course for university students. Performance Enhancement and Health. (Open access).

Barkoukis, V., et al. (2025). A whole-school approach for the promotion of physical activity: An evaluation of stakeholders’ and educators’ perceptions about education in six European countries. Education Sciences. (Open access, 1 citation).