Differences in Lactic Acid Levels Before and After Administration of Red Ginger Herbal Drink in Palm Oil Harvesters Experiencing Fatigue at PT. Tasma Puja Kampar

Abstract

Physical work fatigue is a significant problem in the palm oil plantation sector, characterized by decreased physical performance that may increase the risk of occupational accidents. Intensive physical activity among palm oil plantation workers can elevate lactic acid levels, which contribute to muscle fatigue. Red ginger is known to contain gingerol and shogaol, powerful antioxidants that help reduce oxidative stress, thereby accelerating muscle recovery and lactic acid metabolism. However, no previous research has demonstrated the effectiveness of red ginger in reducing lactic acid levels among palm oil plantation workers. This study aimed to analyze the differences in lactic acid levels before and after the administration of a red ginger herbal drink in palm oil harvesters experiencing work-related fatigue at PT. Tasma Puja Kampar. This study employed a quasi-experimental design with a one-group pretest–posttest approach. The sample was obtained using total sampling from a population of 138 palm oil harvesters, with 57 respondents meeting the inclusion criteria. Lactic acid levels were measured before and 30 minutes after the intervention using the Accutrend Plus device. Data were analyzed using the non-parametric Wilcoxon Signed-Rank test. The findings revealed a decrease in mean lactic acid levels following the administration of the red ginger herbal drink by 0.78 mmol/L. Prior to the intervention, the mean lactic acid level was 2.75 mmol/L, which decreased to 1.97 mmol/L after the intervention. Statistical analysis indicated a significant difference with a p-value = 0.000. The administration of red ginger herbal drink was found to be significantly effective in reducing lactic acid levels among palm oil harvesters experiencing work-related fatigue. This intervention has the potential to serve as a natural solution for managing work fatigue caused by lactic acid accumulation in labor-intensive environments.