International Journal of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Biomechanical Advancements in COPD

Extra-pulmonary functional decline is common in patients with COPD. These include but are not limited to muscle fatigue, muscle weakness, falls, slower gait speed, and decreased physical activity. Biomechanics, the study of forces and how they act upon a body, can contribute greatly to our understanding of mechanisms leading to dysfunction. Biomechanical studies have provided insight into changes in balance, gait, muscle mechanics, and breathing mechanics to name a few. The use of biomechanical tools such as motion capture has been used to develop optoelectronic plethysmography allowing for study of lung volume contributions to breathing mechanics. Despite the uses of biomechanics in studying COPD, there remains a need to investigate functional outcomes, rehabilitation strategies, and preventative interventions. This Collection brings together articles focused on extra-pulmonary functional outcomes associated with COPD, with special emphasis on biomechanics-based approaches.