We investigated the relationship between maximum oxygen uptake and the amount of lipid peroxide in serum before and after exhaustive exercise. The levels of serum lipid peroxides observed in a group of 6 males with high oxygen uptake were significantly lower than those of the low oxygen uptake control group (4 males) before and 0, 30 and 60 minutes after exercise. The amount of serum lipid peroxides increased slightly in each group after exercise. However, that amount decreased more quickly in the group with high oxygen uptake than the control group. Catalase and superoxide dismutase activities in erythrocytes showed no significant differences between both groups, nor between before and after exhaustive exercise.