Dr Vasileios Korakakis

Dr Vasileios Korakakis is a Teaching Fellow in Physiotherapy Education. Vasileios is a specialist musculoskeletal and sports physiotherapist and researcher, and has 25 years of clinical experience in rehabilitation. He holds a PhD in biomechanics from the University of Thessaly, Greece; an MSc in Health and Exercise; a BSc in Physiotherapy from TEI of Athens, Greece; and a postgraduate diploma in Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy from the University of Otago, New Zealand. He has more than 10 years experience in teaching postgraduate sports and MSK specialization courses and he is appointed as an adjunct Professor at the Hamad bin Khalifa University (Doha, Qatar) and the University of Nicosia (Cyprus). Vasileios has worked as a Clinical Lead Physiotherapist at Aspetar Sports Medicine Hospital, FIFA Medical Center of Excellence, in Doha, Qatar. He has published more than 55 original publications in peer reviewed journals and has contributed to sports and musculoskeletal rehabilitation books. His research interest is focused on blood flow restriction training, ACL reconstruction assessment and rehabilitation, tendinopathies, spinal and lower limb biomechanics, MSK rehabilitation, systematic reviews, and clinimetrics.

Publications

1.  Kotsifaki A, van Rossom SV, Whiteley R, Korakakis V, Bahr R, D’Hooghe P, Papakostas E, Sideris V, Jonkers I. Between-Limb symmetry in ACL and tibiofemoral contact forces in athletes after ACL Reconstruction and clearance for Return to Sport. Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine. 2022; 10(4):23259671221084742. Published Online First: 11 April 2022. https://doi.org/ 10.1177/23259671221084742
2. Kotsifaki A, van Rossom SV, Whiteley R, Korakakis V, Bahr R, Sideris V, Jonkers I. Single leg vertical jump performance identifies knee function deficits at return to sport after ACL reconstruction. British Journal of Sports Medicine. 2022; 56(9):490-498. Published Online First: 08 February 2022. https://doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2021-104692
3. Lota KS, Malliaropoulos N, Blach W, Kamitani T, Ikumi A, Korakakis V, Maffulli N. Rotational head acceleration and traumatic brain injury in combat sports: a systematic review. British Medical Bulletin. 2022; 141(1):33-46. Published Online First: 28 January 2022. https://doi.org/10.1093/bmb/ldac002
4. Kotsifaki A, van Rossom SV, Whiteley R, Korakakis V, Bahr R, Sideris V, Smith PG, Jonkers I. Symmetry in triple hop distance hides asymmetries in knee function in ACL-reconstructed athletes at return to sports. American Journal of Sports Medicine. 2022; 50(2):441-450. Published Online First: 10 December 2021. https://doi.org/10.1177/03635465211063192
5. Korakakis V, Kotsifaki A, Korakaki A, Karanasios S, Whiteley R. Current perspectives, and clinical practice of physiotherapists on assessment, rehabilitation, and return to sport criteria after anterior cruciate ligament injury and reconstruction. An online survey of 538 physiotherapists. Physical Therapy in Sport. 2021; 52:103-114. Published Online First: 30 August 2021. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ptsp.2021.08.012
6. Karagiannis C, Savva C, Korakakis V, Adamide T, Georgiou A, Matheou I, Prodromou A, Xanthos T. Effect of strength versus strength and endurance upper limb exercise training in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a randomized clinical trial. Journal of Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation and prevention. 2021; 41(6):426-431. Published Online First: 10 June 2021. https://doi.org/10.1097/HCR.0000000000000620
7. Korakakis V, Kotsifaki A, Stefanakis M, Sotiralis Y, Whiteley R, Thorborg K. Evaluating lower limb tendinopathy with Victorian Institute of Sport Assessment (VISA) questionnaires: a systematic review shows very‑low‑quality evidence for their content and structural validity – Part I. Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy. 2021; 29(9):2749-2764. Published Online First: 21 May 2021. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00167-021-06598-5
8. Korakakis V, Whiteley R, Kotsifaki A, Thorborg K. Tendinopathy VISAs have expired—is it time for outcome renewals? Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy. 2021; 29(9):2745-2748. Published Online First: 10 May 2021. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00167-021-06596-7
9. Korakakis V, O'Sullivan K, Kotsifaki A, Sotiralis Y, Giakas G. Lumbo-pelvic proprioception in sitting is impaired in subgroups of Low Back Pain – But the clinical utility of the differences is unclear. A systematic review and meta-analysis. PLoS One. 2021:16(4): e0250673. (2021) Published Online First: 26 April 2021. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0250673
10. Korakakis V, Whiteley R, Kotsifaki A, Stefanakis M, Sotiralis Y, Thorborg K. A systematic review evaluating the clinimetric properties of the Victorian Institute of Sport Assessment (VISA) questionnaires for lower limb tendinopathy shows moderate to high-quality evidence for sufficient reliability, validity, and responsiveness – part II. Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy. 2021; 29(9):2765-2788. Published Online First: 16 April 2021. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00167-021-06557-0
11. Savva C, Karagiannis C, Korakakis V, Efstathiou M. The analgesic effect of joint mobilization and manipulation in tendinopathy: a narrative review. Journal of Manual & Manipulative Therapy. 2021; 26:1-12. Published Online First: 26 March 2021. https://doi.org/10.1080/10669817.2021.1904348
12. Kotsifaki A, Whiteley R, Rossom SV, Korakakis V, Bahr R, Sideris V, Graham-Smith P, Jonkers I. Single leg hop for distance symmetry masks lower limb biomechanics: time to discuss hop distance as decision criterion for return to sport after ACL reconstruction? British Journal of Sports Medicine. 2022; 56(5):249-256. Published Online First: 09 March 2021. http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2020-103677
13. Karanasios S, Korakakis V, Moutzouri M, Dragonaki E, Koci K, Pantazopoulou V, Tsepis E, Gioftsos G. Diagnostic accuracy of examination tests for lateral elbow tendinopathy (LET) - A systematic review. Journal of Hand Therapy. (2021) Published Online First: 27 February 2021. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jht.2021.02.002
14. Kotsifaki A, Korakakis V, Graham-Smith P, Sideris V, Whiteley R. Vertical and horizontal hop performance: Contributions of the hip, knee, and ankle. Sports Health. 2021; 13(2):128-135. Published Online First: 09 February 2021. https://doi.org/10.1177/1941738120976363
15. Grantham B, Korakakis V, O’Sullivan K. Does blood flow restriction training enhance clinical outcomes in knee osteoarthritis: a systematic review and meta-analysis – Review article. Physical Therapy in Sport.  2021; 49:37-49. Published Online First: 03 February 2021. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ptsp.2021.01.014
16. Maestroni L, Papadopoulos K, Turner A, Korakakis V, Read P. Relationships between physical capacities and biomechanical variables during movement tasks in athletic populations following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction – Review article. Physical Therapy in Sport.  2021; 48:209-218. Published Online First: 22 January 2021. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ptsp.2021.01.006
17. McAuliffe S, Korakakis V, Hilfiker R, Whiteley R, O’Sullivan K. Participant characteristics are poorly reported in exercise trials in tendinopathy: a systematic review.  Physical Therapy in Sport.  2021; 48:43-53. Published Online First: 16 December 2020. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ptsp.2020.12.012
18. Korakakis V, O’Sullivan K, Whiteley R, O’Sullivan P, Korakaki A, Kotsifaki A, Tsaklis P, Tsiokanos A, Giakas G. Notions of “optimal” posture are loaded with meaning. Perceptions of sitting posture among asymptomatic members of the community. Musculoskeletal Science and Practice. 2021; 51:102310. Published Online First: 27 November 2020. https://doi.org/10.1016/ j.msksp.2020.102310
19. Maestroni L, Read P, Turner A, Korakakis V, Papadopoulos K. Strength, rate of force development, power and reactive strength in adult male athletic populations post anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction - A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Physical Therapy in Sport. 2021; 47:91-104. Published Online First: 10 November 2020. https://doi.org/10.1016 /j.ptsp.2020.11.024
20. Karanasios S, Korakakis V, Whiteley R, Vasilogeorgis I, Woodbridge S, Gioftsos G. Exercise interventions in lateral elbow tendinopathy have better outcomes than passive interventions, but the effects are small: a systematic review and meta-analysis of 2123 subjects in 30 trials. British Journal of Sports Medicine. 2021; 55(9):477-485. Published Online First: 04 November 2020. http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2020-102525
21. Savva C, Kleitou M, Efstathiou M, Korakakis V, Demetris S, Karayiannis C. The effect of lumbar spine manipulation on pain and disability in Achilles tendinopathy. A case report. Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies. 2021; 26:214-219. Published Online First: 08 September 2020. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbmt.2020.08.014
22. Whiteley R, Napier C, van Dyk N, Barton C, Mitchell T, Beales D, Korakakis V. Clinicians use courses and conversations to change practice, not journal articles: is it time for journals to peer-review courses to stay relevant? British Journal of Sports Medicine. 2021; 55(12):651-652. Published Online First: 23 October 2020. https://doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2020-102736
23. Savva C, Korakakis V, Efstathiou M, Karagiannis C. Cervical Traction combined with Neural Mobilization for patients with cervical radiculopathy: A randomized controlled trial. Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies. 2021; 26:279-289. Published Online First: 02 September 2020. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbmt.2020.08. 019
24. Mc Auliffe S, O'Sullivan K, Whiteley R, Korakakis V. Why do tendon researchers overlook the patient’s psychological state? The review with no papers. British Journal of Sports Medicine. 2021; 55(5):244-245. Published Online First: 26 August 2020. https://doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2020-102359
25. Holtzhausen LJ, Souissi S, Al Sayrafi O, May A, Farooq A, Grant CC, Korakakis V, Rabia S, Segers S, Chamari K. Arabic translation and cross-cultural adaptation of Sport Concussion Assessment Tool 5 (SCAT5). Biology of Sport. 2021; 38(1):129–144. Published Online First: 21 August 2020. http://dx.doi.org/10.5114/biolsport.2020.97673
26. Karagiannis C, Savva C, Korakakis V, Matheou I, Adamide T, Georgiou A, Xanthos T. Test–Retest Reliability of Handgrip Strength in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. COPD: Journal of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. 2020; 17(5):568-74. Published Online First: 19 August 2020. https://doi.org/10.1080/15412555.2020.1808604
27. Korakakis V, O’Sullivan K, Whiteley R, Grantham B. Second letter to the Editor about the article ‘‘The addition of blood flow restriction to resistance exercise in individuals with knee pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis’’. Brazilian Journal of Physical Therapy. 2020; 24(6):542-564. Published Online First: 11 November 2020. https://doi.org/ 10.1016/j.bjpt.2020.11.002
28. Slater D, Korakakis V, O'Sullivan K, Nolan D, O'Sullivan P. Authors’ response to Letter to the editor-in Chief - “Sit Up Straight”: Time to Re-evaluate. Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy. 2020; 50(1):47-48. https://doi.org/10.2519/jospt.2020.0201
29. Korakakis V, O’Sullivan K, Sideris V, & Giakas G. No differences in spinal repositioning error in patients with low back pain presenting with a directional preference into extension. European Journal of Physiotherapy. 2020; 22(4):212-220. https://doi.org/10.1080/21679169.2019.1585474
30. Kotsifaki A, Korakakis V, Whiteley R, Van Rossom S, & Jonkers I. Measuring only hop distance during single leg hop testing is insufficient to detect deficits in knee function after ACL reconstruction: a systematic review and meta-analysis.  British Journal of Sports Medicine. 2020; 54(3):139-153. Published Online First: 29 May 2019.  https://doi.org/ 10.1136/bjsports-2018-099918
31. Slater D, Korakakis V, O'Sullivan P, Nolan D, O'Sullivan K. “Sit Up Straight”: Time to Re-evaluate. Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy. 2019; 49(8):562-4. https://doi.org/10.2519/jospt.2019.0610
32. Korakakis V, Abassi M, Kotsifaki A, Manai H, & AbuEsba A. Cross-cultural adaptation and psychometric properties' evaluation of the modern standard Arabic version of Cumberland Ankle Instability Tool (CAIT) in professional athletes. PLoS One. 2019; 14(6), e0217987. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0217987
33. Korakakis V, Saretsky M, Whiteley R, Azzopardi M.C, Klauznicer J, Itani A, Giakas G, Malliaropoulos N. Translation into modern standard Arabic, cross-cultural adaptation, and psychometric properties' evaluation of the Lower Extremity Functional Scale (LEFS) in Arabic-speaking athletes with Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) injury. PLoS One. 2019; 14(6), e0217791. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0217791
34. Hernandez-Sanchez S, Korakakis V, Malliaropoulos N, and Moreno-Perez V. Validation study of the Functional Assessment Scale for Acute Hamstring injuries in Spanish professional soccer players. Clinical Rehabilitation. 2019; 33(4):711-723. Published Online First: 10 December 2018. https://doi.org/10.1177/0269215518815540
35. Korakakis V, O'Sullivan P. B, O'Sullivan K, Evagelinou V, Sotiralis Y, Sideris A, Sakellariou K, Karanasios S and Giakas G. Physiotherapist perceptions of optimal sitting and standing posture. Musculoskeletal Science and Practice. 2019; 39: 24-31. Published Online First: 17 November 2018. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.msksp.2018.11.004
36. Korakakis V, O’Sullivan K, Sotiralis Y, Karanasios S, Sideris V, Sideris A, Sakellariou K & Giakas G. Evaluation of the within- and between-day intra-tester and inter-tester reliability of positioning subjects into neutral and lordotic sitting postures. European Journal of Physiotherapy. 2019; 21(3):142-152. https://doi.org/10.1080/21679169. 2018. 1503719
37. Lohrer H, Malliaropoulos N, Korakakis V, and Padhiar N. Exercise-induced leg pain in athletes: diagnostic, assessment, and management strategies. The Physician and Sportsmedicine. 2019; 47(1):47-59. Published Online First: 05 November 2018. https://doi.org/10.1080/00913847.2018.1537861
38. Korakakis V, Whiteley R, Giakas G. Low load resistance training with blood flow restriction decreases anterior knee pain more than resistance training alone. A pilot randomized controlled trial. Physical Therapy in Sport. 2018; 34:121-128. Published Online First: 19 September 2018. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ptsp.2018.09.007
39. Korakakis V, Whiteley R, Epameinontidis K. Blood Flow Restriction induces hypoalgesia in recreationally active adult male anterior knee pain patients allowing therapeutic exercise loading. Physical Therapy in Sport. 2018; 32:235-243. Published Online First: 31 May 2018. https://doi.org/10.1016/ j.ptsp. 2018.05.021
40. Leung R, Malliaropoulos N, Korakakis V, & Padhiar N. What are patients’ knowledge, expectation and experience of radial extracorporeal shockwave therapy for the treatment of their tendinopathies? A qualitative study. Journal of Foot and Ankle Research. 2018; 11(1):11. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13047-018-0254-5
41. Malliaropoulos N, Rachid S, Korakakis V, Fraser SA, Bikos G, Maffulli N, Angioli M. Prevalence, techniques, and knowledge of rapid weight loss amongst adult British judo athletes: a questionnaire-based study. Muscles Ligaments Tendons J. 2018; 7(3):459-66. https://doi.org/10.11138/mltj/2017.7.3.459
42. Korakakis V., Whiteley R., Tzavara A. & Malliaropoulos N. The effectiveness of Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy in common Lower Limb Conditions – a Systematic Review including quantification of patient-rated pain reduction. British Journal of Sports Medicine. 2018; 52(6):387-407. Published Online First: 27 September 2017. https://doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2016-097347
43. Malliaropoulos N, Bikos G, Meke M, Korakakis V, Valle X, Lohrer H, Maffulli N, Padhiar N. Higher frequency of hamstring injuries in elite track and field athletes who had a previous injury to the ankle – a 17-year observational cohort study. Journal of Foot and Ankle Research. 2018; 11:7. https://doi.org/10.1186/s 13047-018-0247-4
44. Malliaropoulos N, Thompson D, Meke M, Pyne D, Alaseirlis D, Atkinson H, Korakakis V, & Lohrer H. Individualised radial extracorporeal shock wave therapy (rESWT) for symptomatic calcific shoulder tendinopathy: a retrospective clinical study. BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders. 2017; 18(1):513. http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s12891-017-1873-x
45. Malliaropoulos N, Bikos G, Meke M, Tsifountoudis I, Pyne D, & Korakakis V. Mechanical Low Back Pain in Elite Track and Field Athletes: An observational cohort study. Journal of Back and Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation. 2017; 30(4):681-689. http://dx.doi.org/10.3233/BMR-150390
46. Korakakis V, Giakas G, Sideris V, & Whiteley R. Repeated end range spinal movement while seated abolishes the proprioceptive deficit induced by prolonged flexed sitting posture. A study assessing the statistical and clinical significance of spinal position sense. Musculoskeletal Science and Practice. 2017; 31:9-20. Published Online First: 10 June 2017. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.msksp.2017.06.003
47. Malliaropoulos N, Jury R, Pyne D, Padhiar N, Turner J, Korakakis V, Meke M, Lohrer H. Radial extracorporeal shockwave therapy for the treatment of finger tenosynovitis (trigger digit). Open Access Journal of Sports Medicine. 2016; 7: 143-151. http://dx.doi.org/10.2147/oajsm.s108126
48. Lohrer H, Nauck T, Korakakis V, Malliaropoulos N. Validation of the FASH (Functional Assessment Scale for Acute Hamstring Injuries) questionnaire for German-speaking football players. Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research. 2016; 11(1):130. http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s13018-016-0464-0
49. Lohrer H, Nauck T, Korakakis V, & Malliaropoulos N. Historical ESWT Paradigms Are Overcome: A Narrative Review. BioMed Research International. 2016; 3850461. Published Online First: 17 July 2016. http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2016/3850461
50. Malliaropoulos N, Crate G, Meke M, Korakakis V, Nauck T, Lohrer H, & Padhiar N. Success and Recurrence Rate after Radial Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy for Plantar Fasciopathy: A Retrospective Study. BioMed Research International. 2016; 9415827. Published Online First: 05 July 2016. http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2016/9415827
51. Korakakis V, & Whiteley R. The Effectiveness of ESWT in Lower Limb Tendinopathy: Letter to the Editor. American Journal of Sports Medicine. 2015; 43(10): NP43-NP44. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0363546515608114
52. Korakakis V, Malliaropoulos N, Baliotis K, Papadopoulou S, Padhiar N, Nauck T, Lohrer H. Cross-cultural Adaptation and Validation of the Exercise-Induced Leg Pain Questionnaire for English- and Greek-Speaking Individuals. Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy. 2015; 45(6):485-496. Published Online First: 30 April 2015. http://dx.doi.org/10.2519/jospt.2015.5428
53. Tsaklis P, Malliaropoulos N, Mendiguchia J, Korakakis V, Tsapralis K, Pyne D, Malliaras P. Muscle and intensity-based hamstring exercise classification in elite female track and field athletes: implications for exercise selection during rehabilitation. Open Access Journal of Sports Medicine. 2015; 6:209-217. http://dx.doi.org/10.2147/OAJSM.S79189
54. Malliaropoulos N, Korakakis V, Christodoulou D, Padhiar N, Pyne D, Giakas G, Nauch T, Malliaras P, Lohrer H. Development and validation of a questionnaire (FASH – Functional Assessment Scale for Acute Hamstring Injuries): to measure the severity and impact of symptoms on function and sports ability in patients with acute hamstring injuries.  British Journal of Sports Medicine. 2014; 48(22):1607-1612. Published Online First: 06 October 2014. http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2014-094021
55. Korakakis V, Sideris V, Giakas G. Sitting bodily configuration: A study investigating the intra-tester reliability of positioning subjects into a predetermined sitting posture. Manual Therapy. 2014; 19(3):197-202. Published Online First: 16 January 2014. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.math.2014.01.001
56. Korakakis V, Patsiaouras A, & Malliaropoulos N. Cross-cultural adaptation of the VISA-P questionnaire for Greek-speaking patients with patellar tendinopathy. British Journal of Sports Medicine. 2014; 48(22):1647-1652. Published Online First: 05 July 2016. Published Online First: 11 December 2012. http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2012-091339