['To determine the effect of a resistance-training program on walking endurance in a healthy, community-dwelling elderly population.', '12- week randomized, controlled trial comparing a resistance- training group with a nonexercising control group.', 'Hospital-affiliated outpatient exercise facility.', '24 healthy men and women who were 65 years of age or older (mean age +/-SD, 70.4 +/- 4 years; range, 65 to 79 years).', 'The primary outcome variable was exhaustive submaximal walking time measured at an intensity of 80% of baseline peak aerobic capacity.', 'Participants in the resistance-training program increased submaximal walking endurance by 9 minutes (from 25 +/- 4 minutes to 34 +/- 9 minutes; P=0.001), a 38% increase, whereas no change was seen in controls (20 +/- 5 minutes to 19 +/- 10 minutes; P greater than 0.2; P=0.005 between groups). The relation between change in leg strength and change in walking endurance was significant (r=0.48; P=0.02). Neither group showed a change in peak aerobic capacity or in whole-body composition, although fat-free mass of the leg increased in the exercise group.'] Does weight training improve walking endurance in healthy elderly persons?