Physical activity, nutritional habits and sleeping behavior in health professions students and employees of a Swiss University of Applied Sciences during and after the COVID-19 confinement period: A protocol for a questionnaire survey study

Background: A new coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 led to the COVID-19 pandemic since January 2020. To block the transmission of the virus, the Swiss Federal Council decided for a lockdown of the non-essential businesses. Students and employees of institutions for higher education were informed to install home-office and online lectures. Objective: The aim of this longitudinal survey will be to evaluate lifestyle habits such as physical activity, nutritional habits and sleeping behavior 1) during a two months period of confinement and social distancing and 2) one year after the COVID-19 pandemic time period in students and employees of a Swiss University of Applied Sciences. Methods: This manuscript describes a protocol for a retrospective and prospective observational cohort study. Students and employees from the Bern University of Applied Sciences - Department of Health Professions (BFH-DHP) will be invited to complete an anonymous online survey during the COVID-19 confinement period, followed by a second survey scheduled one year after the lockdown. Information on the lifestyle dimensions physical activity, nutrition and sleep will be gathered using adaptations of validated questionnaires. Results: This is a longitudinal study with two time points of measurement. The first survey was carried out during the lockdown in April 2020 and the second in May 2021. The first survey has been carried out and the data of 823 participants will be evaluated. The results of the first survey are expected to be published in spring 2021. The results of the second survey are expected to be published in spring 2022. Discussion: This survey will give information about the impact of confinement during the COVID-19 crisis on physical activity, nutrition and sleep behavior in students and employees of BFH-DHP.