About

I specialise in Biomechanics and Strength & Conditioning in the School of Human Sciences. My role includes teaching at an undergraduate and postgraduate level across a number of courses. I earned my doctoral degree under the guidance of Professor Tony Kay and Professor Anthony Blazevich. My PhD thesis compared the acute effects of warm-up strategies using free-weight and variable resistance on strength and power performance.

Three of the studies of my PhD Thesis were published in the Journal of Strength & Conditioning, European Journal of Sport Science and Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports. I continue to publish post-doctoral research in top-ranked, high-impact international journals and leads research projects in areas such as sports biomechanics and neurophysiology and I have developed a number of research collaborations with several universities internationally within the field. I also have extensive experience in the field working with high-profile athletes.

Teaching responsibilities

Sport and Exercise Science courses taught:

• Strength, Conditioning and Rehabilitation BSc (Hons)
• Performance Analysis and Coaching Science BSc (Hons)
• Sport and Exercise Science BSc (Hons)
• Sport and Exercise (MRes)
• Applied Sport and Exercise Science (MSc)

Teaching on the following modules:

• 6BY501 - Applied Strength & Conditioning
• 5BY502 - Strength & Conditioning
• 6SO517 - Advanced Athlete Testing & Assessment
• 5SO519 - Athlete Testing & Assessment 
• 7SO509 - Strength and Conditioning Science

Research interests

• Biomechanics
• Neurophysiology
• Strength & Conditioning (speed, power, strength, fatigue, flexibility)
• Muscle Physiology

Membership of professional bodies

• Fellow of the European College of Sport Science

Qualifications

• Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
• MRes in Sport Science (Biomechanics)
• Higher Education (HE) Fellowship (Teaching Qualification), University of Derby, 2020

Recent conferences

• Zarkadoula, A, Mina, M.A, Kokkotis, X, Karampina, E, Van Enis, A, Giakas, G, Tsatalas, Th. The acute effect of the eccentric speed of the back squat on subsequent countermovement jump performance, 4^th National conference of Sport Science, Thessaloniki, Greece. 2-4/3/2023
• Mina, M.A, Blazevich, A.J, Tsatalas, T, Giakas, G, Kokkotis, C, Sideris, V, Kay, A.D. Loaded countermovement jump exercise using elastic bands potentiates subsequent jump performance following a comprehensive task-specific warm-up. 26th Annual Congress of the European College of Sport Science (ECSS), Paris, France. 2023
• Van Enis, A.J, Kay, A.D, Blazevich, A.J, Kokkotis, C, Sideris, V, Tsatalas, T, Mina, M.A. The acute effects of assisted and resisted variable resistance back squats on countermovement jump performance. 26th Annual Congress of the European College of Sport Science (ECSS), Paris, France. 2023
• Mina, M.A, Blazevich, A.J, Tsatalas, T, Giakas, G, Kokkotis, C, Sideris, V, Karampina, E, Kay, A.D. The influence of back squat and countermovement jump exercises with and without elastic band resistance on subsequent jump performance. 25th Annual Congress of the European College of Sport Science (ECSS), Seville Spain, 30 August-2 September 2022
• Van Enis, A.J, Kay, A.D, Blazevich, A.J, Kokkotis, C, Sideris, V, Tsatalas, T, Mina, M.A. The influence of assisted and resisted variable resistance back squat on subsequent countermovement jump performance. 25th Annual Congress of the European College of Sport Science (ECSS), Seville Spain, 30 August-2 September 2022
• Davis, N.M, Pringle, A, Kay, A.D, Blazevich, A.J, Teskey, D, Faghy, M.A, Mina, M.A. Evaluation of the feasibility, psychological effects, influence and perception of elastic band resistance balance training in older adults. 25th Annual Congress of the European College of Sport Science (ECSS), Seville Spain, 30 August-2 September 2022
• Tsatalas, T, Karampina, E, Dolapsaki, E, Laschou, V.C, Patikas, D.A, Mina, M.A, Jamurtas, A.Z, Koutedakis, Y, Giakas, G. Landing biomechanics following eccentric exercise-induced muscle damage. Invited Presentation presented to: 25th Anniversary Congress of the European College of Sport Science (ECSS), Virtual Congress, 28-30 October 2020
• Mina, M.A, Blazevich, A.J, Giakas, G, Seitz, L.B, Hooton, A. and Kay, A.D. (2019). Variable, but not free-weight, resistance back squat exercise potentiates jump performance following a comprehensive task-specific warm-up. Invited Presentation presented to: 24th Annual Congress of the European College of Sport Science (ECSS), Prague, Czech Republic, 03-06 July 2019
• Mina, M.A, Blazevich, A. J, Tsatalas, T, Giakas, G, Seitz, L. B, Hooton, A. and Kay, A.D. (2017) The acute effects of free-weight and elastic band back squat exercise on subsequent vertical jump performance. Invited Presentation presented to: 22nd Annual Congress of the European College of Sport Science (ECSS), Essen, Germany, 05-08 July 2017
• Mina, M.A, Blazevich, A. J, Giakas, G, Draper, N. and Kay, A.D. (2015) Biomechanical effects of elastic bands, chains and free-weight resistance on submaximal back squat exercise. Invited Presentation presented to: 20th Annual Congress of the European College of Sport Science (ECSS 2015), Malmo, Sweden, 24-27 June 2015
• Kay, A. D, Rubley, B, Talbot, C, Mina, M.A. and Blazevich, A.J. (2014) Six weeks of maximal eccentric knee extensor training affects muscle-tendon mechanics and muscle damage. Invited Presentation presented to: 19th Annual Congress of the European College of Sport Science (ECSS 2014), Amsterdam, Netherlands, 02-05 July 2014
• Mina, M.A, Blazevich, A.J, Giakas, G. and Kay, A.D. (2014) The influence of chain-loaded resistance on subsequent 1-RM free-weight squat performance. Invited Presentation presented to: 19th Annual Congress of the European College of Sport Science (ECSS 2014), Amsterdam, Netherlands, 02-05 July 2014
• Mina, M.A. (2013) Practical guidelines for the use of variable resistance in strength & conditioning. Northampton Sports Conference, Northampton, United Kingdom, 9 Dec 2013
• Kay, A. D, Richmond, D, Talbot, C, Mina, M.A. and Blazevich, A.J. (2013) The influence of 6 weeks of maximal eccentric plantarflexor training on muscle-tendon mechanics. Paper presented to: 18th Annual Congress of the European College of Sport Science (ECSS), Barcelona, Spain, 26-29 June 2013
• Mina, M.A, Giakas, G, Blazevich, A.J. and Kay, A.D. (2013) The influence of acute variable resistance loading on subsequent free-weight maximal squat performance. Invited Presentation presented to: 18th Annual Congress of the European College of Sport Science (ECSS), Barcelona, Spain, 26-29 June 2013

Experience in industry

• Consultant biomechanist for Judo athlete: Commonwealth Games Glasgow 2014 (Silver), 14th Games of the small states Liechtenstein (Gold), 16th Games of the small states Reykavik (Gold), European Cup Malaga (5th place), Junior Tour U20 Mudavia "Iliadis U20 Cup" (Silver), Cyprus (2010-2017)
• Consultant biomechanist to junior Judo athlete: European Cup Cadets Coimbra (Bronze), European Cup U21 Athens (5th place), Commonwealth games qualifier, Cyprus (2013-2017)
• Strength & Conditioning consultant to Professional MMA fighter, Manchester, UK (2014-2017)
• Strength & Conditioning coach to shot put/discus throw athlete: Games of the Small States Europe (1st place in discus throw and 2nd place in shot put), European U23 Championships (1st place shot put), Cyprus (2003-2005)
• Scientific support with Mark Cheetham and Adam Baker to elite UK based international track and field athletes and team GB athletes (Victoria Barr & Tosin Oki, track and field), UK (2011)
• Scientific support with Mark Cheetham and Lee Ryland to the talent identification process in Paralympic British Cycling, UK (2011)

In the media

https://news.northeastern.edu/2014/08/13/krassasjudo/

Recent publications

• Plakias, S, Tsatalas, T, Mina, M.A, Kokkotis, C, Flouris, A.D. (2024). The impact of hear exposure on the health and performance of soccer players: A narrative review and bibliometric analysis. 12(9):249
• Plakias, S, Tsatalas, T, Mina, M.A, Kokkotis, C, Kellis, E, Giakas. G. (2024). A Bibliometric analysis of soccer biomechanics. Applied Sciences, 14(15):6430
• Jirovska, R, Kay, A.D, Tsatalas, T, Van Enis, A.J, Kokkotis, C, Giakas, G, Mina, M.A. (2023). The influence of unstable load during a back squat exercise on subsequent countermovement jump performance. Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology, 8(4):167
• Davis, N.M, Pringle, A, Kay, A.D, Blazevich, A.J, Teskey, D, Faghy, M.A, Mina, M.A. (2022). Feasibility, Psychosocial Effects, Influence, and Perception of Elastic Band Resistance Balance Training in Older Adults. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(17)
• Tsatalas, T, Karampina, E, Mina M.A, Patikas, D.A, Laschou, V.C, Pappas, A, Jamurtas, A.Z, Koutedakis, Y, Giakas, G. (2021). Altered Drop Jump Landing Biomechanics Following Eccentric Exercise-Induced Muscle Damage. Sports (Basel), 9(2):24
• Mina, M.A, Blazevich, A.J, Tsatalas, T, Giakas, G, Kay, A.D. (2019). Variable, but not free-weight, resistance squat-jump exercise potentiates jump performance following a comprehensive task-specific warm-up. Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports, Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports, 29(3):380-392
• Tsatalas, T, Karampina E, Kalotyhos, S, Dolapsaki, E, Syrou, N, Mina, M.A, et al , (2020). The Effects of Exercise-induced Muscle Damage on Landing Biomechanics Vary Depending on the Type of Landing. Inquiries in Sport & Physical Education, 18(3), 157-16.
• Mina, M.A, Blazevich, A.J, Tsatalas, T, Giakas, G, Seitz, L.B, Kay, A.D. (2019). Variable, but no free-weight, resistance back squat exercise potentiates jump performance following a comprehensive task-specific warm-up. Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports, 29(3):380-392
• Kay, A.D, Richmond, D, Talbot, C, Mina, M.A, Baross, A.W, Blazevich, A.J. (2018). Stretch imposed on active muscle elicits positive adaptations in strain risk factors and exercise-induced muscle damage. Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science In Sports, 28(11):2299-2309
• Seitz, L.B, Mina, M.A, Haff, G.G. (2017). A sled push stimulus potentiates subsequent 20-m sprint performance. Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, 20(8):781-785
• Kay, A.D, Richmond, D, Talbot, C, Mina, M.A, Baross, A.W, Blazevich, A.J. (2016). Stretching of active muscle elicits chronic changes in multiple strain risk factors. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 48(7): 1388–1396
• Mina, M.A, Blazevich, A.J, Giakas, G, Seitz, L.B, Kay, A.D. (2016). Chain-loaded variable resistance warm-up improves free-weight maximal back squat performance. European Journal of Sport Science, 16(8):932-939
• Mina, M.A, Blazevich, A.J, Giakas, G. & Kay, A.D. (2014). The influence of variable resistance loading on subsequent free weight maximal back squat performance. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 28(10): 2988–2995
• Seitz, L.B, Mina, M.A, Haff, GG. Postactivation Potentiation of Horizontal Jump Performance Across Multiple Sets of a Contrast Protocol. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 30(10):2733-2740