College students became more morning in the second year of the COVID-19 pandemic: impacts on sleep, mood, sunlight exposure and physical activity

ABSTRACT

The aim of the study was to evaluate the sleep, sunlight exposure, chronotype, mood and physical activity of college students in two consecutive years during the COVID-19 pandemic (Brazilian Clinical Trials Registry RBR-4m5j4s). The students (n = 318) answered questionnaires in two moments (2020 - time 1 and 2021 – time 2). The data showed that there was less sunlight exposure and a chronotype with more morning tendencies in the time 2, but with no difference in sleep quality. College students walked more and sat less on weekends, but with no difference in the physical activity level. Physical activity and morning chronotype were associated with lower psychological impact. Therefore, college students, despite being less exposed to sunlight and having greater morning trends in 2021, maintained psychological symptoms, sleep quality and physical activity in the first two years of the pandemic. However, students who practiced physical activity and were mornings suffered less psychological impact. [ FROM AUTHOR] Copyright of Biological Rhythm Research is the property of Taylor & Francis Ltd and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full . (Copyright applies to all s.)