"I strengthened a little more the upper back, shoulders and neck muscles, sternocleidomastoid (that turn the head) and the whole area of the trapezius," said Erick.

He also worked on the muscles that surround the scapula, in addition to the triceps, biceps and pectorals, to be able to withstand the time of the test.

"As time passes, fatigue sets in and you feel pain and that is what makes you lose control of the ball," he said.

Erick intends to end the year with a new endurance record: controlling the ball with just his feet while also wearing 1.5-kilogram weights on each ankle.

Though controlling the ball with his head is his specialty -- because, as Douglas explained, "he is tall and his center of gravity is higher, so that makes the job easier" -- Erick can control the ball with every part of his body, setting records with his feet, knees, thighs and head.

Erick's career as a football player was somewhat lackluster, but he has set some 70 records in different feats since 1994, when he decided to follow in the footsteps of his brother.

His favorite challenges are the long endurance tests.

"Those that last eight hours or more are my favorites, because even if I'm not having a good day, they give me the opportunity to get better as the test goes on," said Erick.

"The short ones are the ones I respect most. Those that last seconds, a minute. If you are not in optimal psychological shape, it is hard for you to do," he added.

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