Question

c) how might blinding have been used in this experiment?
a. the athletes should be allowed to choose which treatment to engage in.

b. the athletes should not be told that the exercise programs are meant to heal their broken legs.

c. although the athletes cannot be blinded, the doctors who approve their return to sports should not know which treatment the subject had engaged in.

Explanation:

Blinding in experiments is about reducing bias by hiding information. Option A is self - selection, not blinding. Option B: Telling athletes about the purpose (healing broken legs) isn't typical blinding. Option C: Blinding the doctors (who assess return to sports) from knowing the treatment the athlete had is a form of blinding (single - blinding here, as athletes might know but doctors don't), which helps reduce bias in their assessment.

Answer:

C. Although the athletes cannot be blinded, the doctors who approve their return to sports should not know which treatment the subject had engaged in.