Twelve female swimmers underwent assessment of nutritionalstatus at the start and end of a competitive season to determine the influence of physical training on trace element nutriture. Fat free mass increased (p<0.01) and fat mass decreased (p<0.01). Mean daily energy intake increased (p<0.05) because of increased carbohydrate consumption (p<0.05). Dietary copper, zinc, and iron did not change. Hematocrit and hemoglobin decreased (p<0.05) slightly, but plasma copper, ceruloplasmin, ferritin, iron, and zinc were unchanged. Red blood cell superoxide dismutase activity increased (p<0.05). These findings indicate that trace element nutriture is not adversely affected by physical training when dietary intakes are adequate, and that increases in superoxide dismutase activity are a functional adaptation of copper metabolism to aerobic training.