Available online at :  http://journal.unj.ac.id/unj/index.php/gjik 

Gladi : Jurnal Ilmu Keolahragaan 12 (03) Special Issue 2021,61-67 

Permalink/DOI:  https://doi.org/10.21009/GJIK.112.11 
 
 

COMPARISON OF 800 METER AND 400 METER RUN EFFECTS 

ON THE INCREASE OF LACTIC ACID IN ATHLETIC ATHLETE 
 

Barkah Sekar Kalih
1
, Eka Anjar Rahmadani

2
 

 
1
Educational Management Department, Postgraduate Program, Universitas Negeri Jakarta. Jl. 

Rawamangun Muka No 1, Jakarta 13220, INDONESIA. 
2
School of Physical Education and Sports Training, Shanghai University of Sport. Shanghai 200438, 

CHINA. 

 

Correspondiing author. Email : BarkahSekarKalih_9903820020@mhs.unj.ac.id 
 

 

 

Abstrak This study aimed to obtain information about the differences in the increase in 

lactic acid from the 800 meter and 400-meter running results. Lactic acid is the result of 

the rest of the energy-burning metabolism of anaerobic lactated. This condition occurs 

in the metabolism of the breakdown of carbohydrates into lactic acid is not perfect, 

which is one indicator of the onset of fatigue in the muscles. The method used is two 

group pre-test and post-test design method. With purposive sampling technique, 

samples using 20 people from the population amount to 85 people from athletic KOP 

members of Jakarta State University. The data analysis technique used is an at-

independent test. The data analysis technique used is a statistical technique with t-test 
significant t-significant = 0,05 data analysis technique used is t-test analysis to compare 

with t-table significant level 5%. Between two meanings (SEmxmy) = 0,78 this 

becomes t arithmetic result = 3,564. Then the result of the calculation is tested with 

table on degrees of freedom (dk) = (n1 + n2) - 2 = (10 + 10) - 2 and trust level 0,05 t 

count 2,101 (t-arithmetic = 3,564 > t-table = 2,101). Run 800 meters greatly influence 

the increase of lactic acid than the run 400 meters group. 

 

Key Words: Run 800 meters, Run 400 Meters, Lactic Acid, Athletic. 

  

mailto:BarkahSekarKalih_9903820020@mhs.unj.ac.id


Gladi Jurnal Ilmu Keolahragaan, 12 (03), July- 62 

Barkah Sekar Kalih, Eka Anjar Rahmadani 

 

INTRODUCTION  

 

Local muscular fatigue following 

physical exercise is caused by lactic acid 

production in the muscles and blood. 

This condition is related to the energy 

resynthesis mechanism (ATP) during the 

muscle contraction process in the FT 

(fast-twitch) muscle fibers, which play a 

more significant role in physical activity 

or high-intensity sports. As we know that 

FT muscle fibers experience fatigue 

faster than ST (slow-twitch) fibers 
because FT muscle fibers have a high 

anaerobic system ability with a low 

aerobic system. So that the rapid 

formation of muscle lactic acid occurs 

more quickly (S. Bakhri, 2015). Lactic 

acid is the result of the rest of the 

energy-burning metabolism of anaerobic 

lactated. This condition occurs in the 

metabolism of the breakdown of 

carbohydrates into lactic acid is not 

perfect, which is one indicator of the 

onset of fatigue in the muscles. Lactate is 

an intermediate product of glucose 

metabolism. Lactate is anaerobic 

metabolic waste, and this process takes 

place in the absence of oxygen. The level 

of lactic acid in a healthy person at rest is 
around 1-2 mM/L (Guntara et al., 2014). 

A heavy workload causes high lactic 

acid. This is due to the inability of the 

aerobic energy supply system so that 

energy supply from anaerobic energy 

sources dominates (Kekuatan, n.d.). The 

lactic acid in the blood in the athlete's 

body will increase when training or 

competing because most of the energy 

needs are obtained through anaerobic 

glycolysis. Anaerobic glycolysis occurs 

in two ways, namely: anaerobically 

lactate (phosphagen system), which does 

not produce lactic acid, and anaerobic 

glycolysis of lactate (lactic acid system), 

which has lactic acid in the body 

(Purnomo & Artikel, 2013). The limit of 
tolerance for high concentrations of 

lactic acid in muscles and blood during 

physical exercise is not known with 

certainty. However, tolerance for lactic 

acid levels in humans is estimated to be 

above 20 mM/l blood and 25 mM /l kg 

wet muscle weight, and can even reach 

above 30 mM / l in dynamic high-

intensity training (Penelitian, 2011) 

In people who regularly exercise 

or athletes, there is an increase in using 

lactic acid to exercise for a more 

extended period. Instead of tiring out, 

lactic acid slows down the onset of 
fatigue and increases your ability to 

exercise (Setiawan et al., 2018). Energy 

during athletic running through two 

routes, namely aerobics and anaerobic. 

The use of this energy system is very 

dependent on intensity practice. At high-

intensity physical exercise, the muscles 

contract in a state anaerobic so that the 

provision of ATP occurs through the 

anaerobic glycolysis process. This results 

in increased levels of lactic acid in the 

blood and muscles. According to the 

book (Bompa & Buzzichelli, 2019), the 

800-meter run is a medium distance run 

using the lactic anaerobic energy system. 

The energy use is 10% ATP-PC, 60% 

glycolysis, and 30% contribution from 
the aerobic energy system. At the same 

time, the 400-meter run is a medium 

distance run using the lactic anaerobic 

energy system, where the energy use is 

40% ATP-PC, 55% glycolysis, and 5% 

contribution from the aerobic energy 

system. With the increase in training 

load, lactic acid levels in the blood and 

muscles will also increase. High-

intensity exercise (exercise using an 

anaerobic energy system) will increase 

the accumulation of lactic acid levels. At 

a maximum of 30 - 120 seconds of 

exercise, lactate levels can reach 15-25 

mM, measured after 3-8 minutes of 

exercise. 

Some cases in the field were a 
lack of understanding by trainers about 



Gladi Jurnal Ilmu Keolahragaan, 12 (03), July- 63 

Barkah Sekar Kalih, Eka Anjar Rahmadani 

 

lactic acid, how lactic acid can arise, the 

effects of lactic acid buildup, and how 

long it takes for lactic acid to decrease to 

enter the next high-intensity exercise 

program. This causes athletes often to 

ignore the pattern of their life as an 

athlete. The slow removal of lactate 

causes an overtraining syndrome in 

athletes, resulting in an increased 

incidence of injuries that can lead to 

temporary and permanent injuries. 

Meanwhile, the injuries that runners may 

experience are ankle and hamstring 
injuries. Sport Resource Group Inc 

(1998) states that blood lactate levels 

after training or matches are influenced 

by the subject's ability, differences in 

distribution, adaptation to muscle types, 

technique or content of the movement, 

and type test used (Widiyanto et al., 

2014). In the recovery, the muscle will 

secrete lactate into blood circulation, be 

carried to the tissues or an underactive 

muscle. Partly muscle lactate is cleared 

through circulation, and others are 

converted back into pyruvate with the 

help of enzymes pyruvate 

dehydrogenase. The pyruvate portion 

will be oxidized to carbon dioxide and 

water, while others are changed to 
alanine. 

The recovery of individual 

reactions to training is variable, as is 

identifying training load. Recovery is 

one of the most important things for 

athletes because, If you have done 

strenuous exercise, lactic acid levels can 

arise, which can cause muscle fatigue. It 

is through recovery that lactic acid levels 

can be eliminated. Therefore, the 

program must be adapted to the 

differences of each athlete to a minor 

extent. Many ways are commonly done 

to lower blood lactic acid levels after a 

match or training, including sports 

massage, jogging, ice bath, etc. The 

course of decreasing blood and muscle 
lactic acid levels. More or less needed 60 

minutes of recovery to get rid of the 

lactic acid pile. Running subjects on the 

treadmill also takes a lot of time, more or 

less the same for lowering lactic acid 

levels. Generally needed took 25 minutes 

to get rid of half of the lactic acid 

buildup after maximal exercise. This 

means that removing 95% of the lactic 

acid buildup takes approximately 60 

minutes after maximum exercise 

(Penelitian, 2011). 

From the description above, the author 

aims to provide information to readers, 
especially for athlete coaches, to know 

the difference in the increase in lactic 

acid between running 400 meters and 

running 800 meters. What is the value of 

normal lactate levels before high-

intensity exercise? Provides basic 

information on the effects of lactic acid 

peaks during training or competition and 

what remedies can effectively reduce 

lactic acid. With this research, the 

authors hope this research can be further 

developed and looking forward to new 

problems and the best results. Hopefully, 

this research can be a reference for other 

sports. 

 

METHODS  

This research method uses an 

experimental method with a research 

design using two groups, pre-test, and 

post-test design. Namely to determine 

the independent and dependent 

variables, while the independent 

variables are running 800 meters and 

running 400 meters, while the 

dependent variable increases lactic acid.  

Participants 

The place of this research was 

carried out at the Velodrome Athletic 

Stadium Rawamangun. A population is 

a group of organisms with the same 

characteristics (Gunawan I, 2016). The 

sample is a part or representative of the 



Gladi Jurnal Ilmu Keolahragaan, 12 (03), July- 64 

Barkah Sekar Kalih, Eka Anjar Rahmadani 

 

population under study. The sampling 

technique in this research uses the 

purposive sampling technique, the 

technique used if researchers have 

specific considerations within sampling 

or determination of samples for a 

particular purpose. In this study, 85 

active students who are members of the 

athlete KOP Athletics state Jakarta 

university will be the population. In this 

study, a sample of 20 people, ten male 

athlete participants ran the 400 meters, 

and ten male athlete participants ran the 
800 meters. The subject of This study is 

an active member of the Athletic 

Achievement Sports Club Jakarta State 

University, which meets the following 

criteria: 

1. An active member of the Jakarta 
State University athletics 

2. Male gender. 
3. I have been practicing for at least 

two years. 

4. Healthy for exercise. 
5. Lactic acid levels at rest / before the 

test 3 mMol / L. 

Instrument 

The instrument used for data 

collection in this study was to measure 

the variables contained in this study. 
The tool needed for acquired lactate was 

a lactic acid measuring instrument: 

Accu trend lactate, lactic acid strip, 

lancet, alcohol swap, whistle, 

stopwatch, and stationer. 

Data collection technique 

Check lactic acid before 

running. Participants warmed up, ten 

participating athletes were given the 

400-meter running treatment, and ten 

participating athletes were given the 

800-meter running treatment. After 

arriving at the finish line, participants 

are invited to sit down and finally take 

the blood back to check lactic acid 

results after running. 

Statistical analysis 

The data analysis technique used is a 

statistical technique with t-test 

significant t-significant = 0,05 data 

analysis technique used is t-test analysis 

to compare with t-table considerable 

level 5%. Interpreting t0 with the 

procedure: Formulating an alternative 

hypothesis (H0), "there is (there is) a 

significant difference in the mean 

between Variable X and Variable Y. 

RESULTS  

1. Test Results Data Effect of Running 

800 Meters on the Increase of Lactic 
Acid. 

Initial test data for lactic acid 

levels in the 800-meter running group 

obtained the lowest value of 2.0 

mmol/L and the highest value of 2.9 

mmol/L with an average (X1) of 2.52 

mmol/L, standard deviation (SX1) 0,34, 

and standard error means (SEmx1) 0.11. 

The final test data for lactic acid levels 

in the 400-meter running group 

obtained the lowest value of 15.9 

mmol/L and the highest value of 20.2 

mmol /L with an average (X1) of 17.51 

mmol/L, the standard deviation (SX1) 

1, 55, and the standard error of the mean 

(SEmx1) is 0.52. 

 
2. Test Results Data Effect of Running 

400 Meters on the Increase of Lactic 

Acid. 

 Initial test data for lactic 

acid levels in the 400-meter running 

group obtained the lowest value of 2.2 

mmol/L and the highest value of 2.9 

mmol/L with an average (X1) of 2.59 

mmol/L, standard deviation (SX1) 0,25, 

and the mean, standard error (SEmx1) is 

0.08. The final test data for lactic acid 

levels in the 400-meter running group 

obtained the lowest value of 12.8 

mmol/L and the highest value of 17.3 

mmol/L with an average (X1) of 14.8 

mmol/L, standard deviation (SX1) 1,43 



Gladi Jurnal Ilmu Keolahragaan, 12 (03), July- 65 

Barkah Sekar Kalih, Eka Anjar Rahmadani 

 

and the mean, standard error (SEmx1) is 

0.48. 

Discussion 

Data collection is used as 

research data obtained from the initial 

test and the final test of lactic acid 

levels in the blood, based on 

observations of the work effect of 

running 800 meters and 400 meters on 

the increase in lactic acid. 

 

1. Initial and Final Test Results of 

Lactic Acid Levels in the 800-Meter 
Running Group 

The results of the analysis from 

the initial test and the final test of lactic 

acid levels using the effect of running 

800 meters obtained the mean value 

(MD) = 14.99, the standard deviation 

(SD) = 1.65, and the mean, standard 

error (SEMD) = 0, 55. This value 

becomes the t-count obtained = 9.085. 

Then the results were tested with t-table 

at degrees of freedom (DK) = n - 1 = 10 

- 1 = 9 with the level of confidence (α) 

= 0.05, the critical value of t-table = 

2.262 was obtained. Thus the t-count 

value is greater than t-table (t-count = 

9.085> t-table = 2.262), with an 

increase in lactic acid from resting lactic 
by 85.6%. 

Based on the data analysis, it can be 

concluded that the null hypothesis (H0) 

is rejected, the working hypothesis (H1) 

is accepted, so the effect of running 800 

meters can increase lactic acid levels. 

 

 

Figure 1.Pre-test and post-test group 

running 800 meters 

 

2. Initial and Final Test Results of 

Lactic Acid Levels in the 400-Meter 

Run Group 

The results of the analysis from 

the initial test and the final test of lactic 

acid levels using the effect of running 

400 meters obtained the mean value 

(MD) = 12.21, the standard deviation 

(SD) = 1.64 and the mean, standard 

error (SEMD) = 0, 55. This value 
becomes the t-count obtained = 7.445. 

Then the results were tested with t-table 

at degrees of freedom (DK) = n - 1 = 10 

- 1 = 9 with the level of confidence (α) 

= 0.05, the critical value of t-table = 

2.262 was obtained. Thus the t-count 

value is greater than t-table (t-count = 

7.390> t-table = 2.262), with an 

increase in lactic acid from resting lactic 

by 82.5%. 

Based on the data analysis, it 

can be concluded that the null 

hypothesis (H0) is rejected, the working 

hypothesis (H1) is accepted, so the 

effect of running 400 meters can 

increase lactic acid levels. 

 

 

Figure 2. Pre-test and post-test for the 

400-meter running group 

 

3. Final Test Results of Lactic Acid 

Levels for the 800-Meter Running 

Group and the 400-Meter Running 

Group 



Gladi Jurnal Ilmu Keolahragaan, 12 (03), July- 66 

Barkah Sekar Kalih, Eka Anjar Rahmadani 

 

 

From the final test of lactic acid 

levels in the 800 meter running group 

and the 400 meter running group, the 

standard difference between the two 

means (SEmxmy) = 0.78, this value 

becomes t-count = 3.564, then the 

results of these calculations are tested 

with t-table at degrees freedom (dk) = 

(n1 + n2) - 2 = (10 + 10) - 2 = 18 with 

the level of confidence (α) = 0.05, the 

critical value of t-table = 2.101 (t-count 

= 3.564> t-table = 2.101). 
Based on the results of the data 

analysis, H0 is rejected, and H1 is 

accepted. It can be concluded that there 

is a significant difference between 

running 800 meters and 400 meters on 

the increase in lactic acid levels and the 

effect of running 800 meters. An 

increase in lactic acid is more 

significant than the effect of running 

400 meters at the Jakarta State 

University Athletic sports club 

members. 

 

CONCLUSIONS 

Based on the problems that have 

been raised and supported by theoretical 

descriptions, data, existing research, and 
analysis of existing data done, it can be 

concluded that: 

1. Running 800 meters can increase 
the body's lactic acid levels (by 

85.6%) for students who are 

members of athletic achievement 

clubs at the State University of 

Jakarta. 

2.  Running 400 meters can increase 
the body's lactic acid levels (by 

82.5%) for students from the athletic 

achievement sports club State 

University of Jakarta. 

3. Run 800 meters higher than running 
400 meters profound increases the 

body's lactic acid levels in student 

club members at the Athletics State 

University of Jakarta with a ratio of 

1.03: 1. 

The 800-meter run is an 

intermediate run with the use of the 

lactic anaerobic energy system. Its 

energy use is 10% ATP-PC, 60% 

glycolysis, and 30% contribution from 

the aerobic energy system. As activity 

with duration increases towards two 

minutes, the ATP supply changes and 

slows down glycolysis. Theoretically, as 

the intensity of the match decreases and 

the rate of glycolysis, the breakdown of 
glucose and glycogen is slowed down, 

resulting in acid buildup. The lactate 

decreases and allows the body to reject 

lactic acid forms pyruvate. After 

pyruvate is formed, lactic acid heading 

into the mitochondria is used in 

metabolism aerobics. At the same time, 

the 400-meter run is a medium distance 

run using the lactic anaerobic energy 

system, where the energy use is 40% 

ATP-PC, 55% glycolysis, and 5% 

contribution from the aerobic energy 

system. 

Running 800 meters and 400 

meters can both increase levels of lactic 

acid in the body. Both can be options 

for increasing lactic acid levels in the 
body. However, run 800 meters higher 

in increasing lactic acid than running 

400 meters.  

 

 

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