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