We investigated the effect of physical exercise on the intakes and plasma levels of vitamin C and E in young male adults. The study population were divided into two groups: small-amount exercisers($leq$ 30min/day, n=29) and moderate-amount exercisers(> 30min/day, n=32) according to their physical exercise habits measured by a questionnaire. Dietary intakes of vitamin C and E of the subjects were estimated by the 24 hour recall method. Plasma lipid profiles, vitamin C, $alpha$-tocopherol and ${gamma}$-tocopherol levels were analyzed. No significant differences were observed in total cholesterol, TG, HDL-C and LDL-C of plasma between two groups. Plasma vitamin C and $alpha$-tocopherol levels in moderate-amount exercisers were significantly higher than those in small-amount exercisers, although dietary intakes of vitamin C and vitamin E were not significantly different between two groups. However, plasma ${gamma}$-tocopherol level of moderate-amount exercisers did not significantly differ from small-amount exercisers. There was a positive correlation between the amount of exercise and plasma $alpha$-tocopherol level. These results suggest that moderate amount of exercise over 30 min per day would lead to a healthy life with an activated antioxidant defence system against oxidative stress.(Korean J Nutrition 34(3) : 306~312, 2001)