Influence of posture on the ventilatory pattern and the thoraco-abdominal kinematics of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

Abstract

Sitting position without back support enhances the activation of respiratory muscles by increasing the tidal volume and supine position seems to favor lung deflation by increasing the expiratory time. It seems appropriate to adopt these positions to optimize the ventilation/perfusion relationship and physiotherapeutic intervention in different clinical conditions.