Researchers wanted to compare two drugs, for-moterol and salbutamol, in aerosol solution, for the treatment of patients who suffer from exercise-induced asthma.2 Patients were to take a drug, do some exercise, and then have their "forced expiratory volume" measured. There were 30 subjects available.
(a) Explain how to set up a randomized blocks design (RBD) here using age as the blocking variable and five blocks.
(b) How would an RBD be a helpful? That is, what is the main advantage of using a RBD in a setting like this?