In addition to choosing the right mattress, think about what kind of pillow to use as you are an athlete. You could experience neck and back pain from the wrong pillow, since your spine will not be aligned correctly. The space between your shoulder blades and your head is filled by a good pillow that cushion your head. Depending on how firm your mattress is, you will need a low, medium, or high-loft pillow to keep your spine and neck aligned.