The aim of the present study was to examine the effect´s relevance of scoring first in knockout promotion to the Spanish Liga Smartbank and succeeding´s probability in the knockout round according to contextual parameters. The sample consisted in all knockout rounds not ending scoreless (n = 199) played in the knockout promotion to Spanish Liga Smartbank between 2004/2005 to 2018/2019 season. Data were examined by descriptive analysis, chi-square tests and binary logistic regressions. Results shown statistically significant values when scoring first and moving through to the next qualifying round (χ² [1 df] = 32.37; p < .001). Teams opening knockout round as a home team and scoring first, move through to the next round 61.7% of times while teams opening knockout round as an away team and scoring first, move through to the next round 79.4% of the times (Total OR = 6.19). Moreover, significant results were found relative to the importance of gaining advantage in first-leg match and scoring first in the second-leg match. This information could be useful for coaches and performance analysts, being applicable to competition in order to prevent the opposite team from scoring a goal and to find tactical options that allow your team getting ahead on the scoreboard.

Muscular strength has been positively associated with better brain health indicators during childhood obesity. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the positive impact of muscular strength in brain health are poorly understood. We aimed to study the association of muscular strength with neurology‐related circulating proteins in plasma in children with overweight/obesity and to explore the role of cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) as a confounder. The participants were 86 Caucasian children (10.1 ± 1.1 years old; 41% girls) from the ActiveBrains project. Muscular strength was measured by field and laboratory tests. CRF was assessed with an incremental treadmill test. Olink's technology was used to quantify 92 neurology‐related proteins in plasma. Protein–protein interactions were computed using the STRING website. Muscular strength was positively associated with 12 proteins (BetaNGF, CDH6, CLEC10A, CLM1, FcRL2, HAGH, IL12, LAIR2, MSR1, SCARB2, SMOC2, and TNFRSF12A), and negatively associated with 12 proteins (CLEC1B, CTSC, CTSS, gal‐8, GCP5, NAAA, NrCAM, NTRK2, PLXNB3, RSPO1, sFRP3, and THY1). After adjustment for CRF, muscular strength was positively associated with eight proteins (BetaNGF, CDH6, CLEC10A, FcRL2, LAIR2, MSR1, SCARB2, and TNFRSF12A) and negatively associated with two proteins (gal‐8 and NrCAM). After applying FDR correction, only CLEC10A remained statistically significant. In conclusion, muscular strength was associated with blood circulating proteins involved in several biological processes, particularly anti‐inflammatory response, lipid metabolism, beta amyloid clearance, and neuronal action potential propagation. More powered studies are warranted in pediatric populations to contrast or confirm our findings.