Proprioceptive Postural Control and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

Inclusion Criteria individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease:

• Age: 40-80 years old
• Spirometry (post-bronchodilator) based diagnosis of COPD (GOLD criteria)
• Willingness to sign the informed consent

Inclusion Criteria healthy controls:

• Age: 40-80 years old
• No COPD (spirometry based: FEV1/FVC ≥ 0.7 and FEV1 > 80%)
• Willingness to sign the informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

• History of major trauma and/or major orthopedic surgery of the spine, the pelvis or the lower quadrant
• One of the following conditions: Parkinson, multiple sclerosis, stroke, history of vestibular disorder
• Respiratory disorder other than COPD
• α1-antitrypsin deficiency
• Known history of significant inflammatory disease other than COPD
• COPD exacerbation within 4 weeks prior to study
• Lung surgery
• Recent diagnosis of cancer
• Therapy with oral corticosteroids in the last 6 weeks
• Significant cardiovascular comorbidity