現代運動與國族主義乃是西方現代性的產物，兩者在作為繼受國的台灣社會中交織出一個特殊的相互關係。甚至，我們可以說，去除了國族主義的成分將難以思考台灣的運動／體育。承襲了西方現代性對於台灣社會的意義，現代運動與國族主義在台灣社會醞釀出一種持續焦慮的詮釋與實踐方式。本文透過歷時性的文本分析，揭示出一種長存的「東亞病夫式焦慮」存在於台灣的運動與國族主義場域。從日本殖民開始，現代運動／體育以一種文明開化的象徵為台灣人帶來恥辱與驕傲，而這種情懷隨著國族主義論述在台灣社會的變遷，歷經了體育救國、莊敬自強到台灣之光的不同運動／體育論述主軸，依舊是台灣運動與國族主義論述的基調。

Both nationalism and sport were established on the basis of Western modernity. This research built contextualized and historical understandings of the interrelation of sport and nationalism in Taiwan. As the “other” of inheritances, there is a perpetual, collective anxiety of sport and nationalism in Taiwan. Since the Japanese colonization, modern sport became a symbol of civilization. It caused both humiliation and proudness. On the other hand, sport/physical education became a significant means to achieve national goals, build national identity and arouse patriotism. The hunger for the “glory of Taiwan” and nationalistic sentiments are still the undertone of the imagination and practice of sport in the anxious nation.