Disclosed are a lithium secondary battery having excellent cycle characteristics and an electrode for lithium secondary batteries. Specifically disclosed is an electrode for lithium secondary batteries, which comprises a collector and an active material structure formed on the collector. The active material structure has at least one first layer containing a first material which adsorbs and desorbs lithium ions and at least one second layer containing a conductive second material which is not chemically reactive with lithium. The first layer and the second layer are arranged alternately, and the Young's modulus of the second layer is higher than that of the first layer. Also disclosed is a lithium secondary battery comprising such an electrode.