日本人統治臺灣之後，為原住民帶來全新的教育方式與活動，其中「體操科」與「運動會」對於原住民而言，是未曾經歷過的嶄新經驗。本研究透過歷史文獻的分析，訪談受過日本式教育的長者，試著探討這背後所隱含的殖民者意圖，以及運動會對於原住民個人和部落社會的影響。殖民者透過原住民在運動會上身體的展演，來改變傳統的勇武表現與競爭關係。對原住民而言，運動場上的表現帶來自我成就感。而運動會如此的大型集會，讓跨部落的互動成為可能，進而形塑族群意識。

Japanese colonial rule in Taiwan introduced new educational institutions and activities to indigenous peoples and students, including the gymnastic subject and the sports meet. This study analyzed historical literature and interviewed Japaneseeducated elderly people to explore the intention and influence of Japanese colonial sports meets on indigenous tribal society. Colonists changed the traditional valiant performance and competitive relationship of indigenous body performances and exhibitions at sports meets. Indigenous people realized self-achievement by their performance on the sports ground. The sports meet consisted of a large assembly during the colonial period that enabled inter-tribal interaction, thus helping to shape the ethnicity of Taiwan indigenous peoples.