Although Bruce, Fries and Lubeck's article provides validation of the benefits of exercise in the ageing process, there could be some selection biases in the sampling. Had the authors considered that it could be that persons who join a running club would be less likely to have pain in the first place; be more fit and interested in activity to begin with? Maybe there could be a way to randomise the running as an intervention, instead of using 'self selection'. My clinical education and research experience has prompted me to ask this question.
Arthritis and Running - selection bias?
28 September 2005
Although Bruce, Fries and Lubeck's article provides validation of the benefits of exercise in the ageing process, there could be some selection biases in the sampling. Had the authors considered that it could be that persons who join a running club would be less likely to have pain in the first place; be more fit and interested in activity to begin with? Maybe there could be a way to randomise the running as an intervention, instead of using 'self selection'. My clinical education and research experience has prompted me to ask this question.
Competing interests
no competing interests