The path to the top is not always linear. For Jill Costanza, it included returning to school and stops in collegiate and military performance before becoming Director of Sport Science and Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach with the National Football League (NFL) Detroit Lions. Costanza describes today’s sport science landscape as a “Wild West,” where definitions differ by perspective. Her focus centers on assessing the athlete and program effectiveness against the demands of the game to identify holistic interventions. She outlines how intentional systems, a clear communication funnel, and data visualizations help athletes and stakeholders understand the “why,” build buy-in, and tap into competitiveness. Addressing common misconceptions, Costanza clarifies that elite athletes can still have foundational qualities that need rewiring. She emphasizes movement quality, proprioception, and breathing while adapting for individual needs and neurological fatigue. Learn how to build sport science systems, turn insights into action, and keep progressing on your professional path. Reach out to Jill by email at: jill.costanza@lions.nfl.net | Find Eric on Instagram: @ericmcmahoncscs and LinkedIn: @ericmcmahoncscs Join the NSCA Football Special Interest Group (SIG) and explore 24 other specialized communities designed to support your development on the Special Interest Groups page.

Dana Santas demonstrates how to improve mobility and performance by reestablishing positive breathing patterns.

NATCON 2022

Charlie Weingroff

In this hands-on lecture from the NSCA's 2014 Movement Performance Clinic, Jay Dawes demonstrates stretches and mobility work that are designed to emphasize good postural control and good postural stability.

Bridge the Gap Hands-On: Putting the Tools to Work: Mobility for Goalies

Matt Delancy, Strength Coach for the University of Florida, coaches mobility progress from a snatch balance assessment.

Tactical operators face many challenges in relation to their job and need to be able to move optimally in order to avoid injuries. The tools provided in this article may assist in helping to develop the ability to improve thoracic mobility in tactical operators.

Michol Dalcourt

This article seeks to provide personal trainers with eight brief modifications that clients can benefit from if they suffer from both acute and chronic lower back pain (LBP).