Noble cause is young Harvard student to enter the record books

A student at Harvard University holds the record for time standing on a ball exercises to overcome five hours and 25 minutes in this condition. Garrett Lam, 21, accomplished the feat in September and the 28th of the same month was officially informed that enter into the Guinness Book of Records.

Until then, Lam had already managed to remain for long three hours on the rubber ball, but his motivation to become the world record holder had a greater purpose. The intention was to achieve greater visibility and raise funds for the College of Harvard Effective Altruism, charity that seeks to work to do good and improve the world.

"We can do an awful lot of good things without a big sacrifice," said the student in an interview with the Boston Globe by telephone. He created a website to receive donations and to date has reached about $ 1500 (about US $ 5900). The goal is to reach at least US $ 3.4 billion (R $ 13,400).

The young American said he learned about the existence of this record for almost two years. At first did not think to take up the challenge to break it. Only when I saw the possibility of combining the feat to raise funds for the institution from which part is that your interest piqued and he decided to do it.

Breaking the record

The nearly 5 and a half hours that Garrett Lam faced standing on a rubber ball are recorded in the video that was posted on his YouTube channel (top). A clock just behind the young counting the time to perform the deed, some witnesses were present to ensure that it complied with all the rules stipulated by Guinness.

To fulfill its objective, the US said it did not go through elaborate preparations. A few weeks before he practiced for two hours in front of the TV, but did not pass it. The achievement of day, then felt the real difficulty. Already with an hour standing on the rubber ball 75 centimeters, his legs began to tremble and he had to help the balance opening his arms.

Lam explained that precisely this was the biggest complication it had. His legs had many spasms and constantly he had to find a way to relieve them, leaving the balance more difficult.

"At the end of the challenge, I was very happy, but I could not walk for a few hours," said the young man. According recounted in an interview with the Boston Globe, for all the pain he felt, he intends only battle for the record again if you have a greater purpose. "I do not think I would do it for personal satisfaction. But if people follow me and continue to support these causes, I'll try again, "he concluded.