Longevity Congress 2025

The congress on physical activity and healthy longevity, held on 22 November 2025 at the renowned Buchinger Wilhelmi Clinic in Marbella, brought together more than 150 participants, including healthcare professionals, longevity experts, researchers, patients and wellness enthusiasts.

Highlights of the Longevity Congress

The day began with a welcome address by Victor Wilhelmi, Clinic Director of the Buchinger Wilhelmi Clinic in Marbella, a position he shares with Katharina Rohrer. He presented the history and development of the Buchinger method and the principles of therapeutic fasting, highlighting its numerous health benefits and its role as a turning point towards a more conscious approach to longevity.

This was followed by a talk from Dr Younes Regragui, Medical Director, who spoke about the importance of physical activity within the clinic’s integrative medical approach. He explained that the correct prescription and understanding of movement become a key element in improving patients’ quality of life.

Facundo Diamante, Head of the Movement Team, emphasised that merely living longer is not enough: “The real challenge is to truly live that time.” He underlined that structured, diagnostics-based training empowers patients and reduces mortality in a medication-free way.

Victor Wilhelmi

Scientific Studies and Exercise Prescription

Dr Robin Mesnage, Scientific Director at Buchinger Wilhelmi, presented findings from the Genesis Study showing that fasting does not impair muscle mass; on the contrary, it can even enhance physical strength. He explained that during fasting, the body uses fat as its primary energy source, which benefits muscle cells. In addition, hormonal changes occur that promote muscle growth after the fasting period. At the clinic, patients can engage in up to 14 hours of supervised physical activity per week.

Felipe Isidro Donate, Professor of Sports Science, delivered an outstanding presentation on the need for genuine evidence-based movement medicine. He noted: “The body is an instrument, the nervous system its conductor, biomarkers are the score, and functional tests are the notes.” With this metaphor, he advocated for a finely tuned, individualised and therapeutic exercise prescription tailored to a person’s unique characteristics and life stages.

Dr. Robin Mesnage

Chronobiology, Mental Health and Movement in Harmony with the Body’s Rhythm

The afternoon began with a presentation by Xevi Verdaguer, a renowned expert in psychoneuroimmunology, who explained how light and the circadian rhythm directly influence health and physical performance. He emphasised that the timing of exercise has different metabolic effects and that regularity and synchronisation with the body’s internal rhythms are decisive factors for healthy longevity.

María Rodríguez Ayllón, PhD in Biomedicine, shed light on the connection between physical activity and mental health. She explained that Spain has high rates of depression and anxiety disorders, particularly among young women, and that exercise can be an effective tool for preventing and improving mental health, provided it is prescribed individually, professionally and under supervision. She highlighted that self-esteem is the main mechanism that improves through physical activity.

Exercise for Osteoporosis Prevention in Women

The final lecture was given by Manuel Martín Olvera, an expert in bone health and co-author of the book Exercise and Osteoporosis, who explained exercise strategies to protect bone mass during perimenopause. He emphasised that bone tissue is highly sensitive to physical stimuli and that the progression of osteoporosis can be halted through strength training, controlled jumps and exercises involving changes in posture, always with the goal of stability and progressive intensity.

The day concluded with a closing panel moderated by Victor Wilhelmi, during which questions from the audience were answered and the key insights of the congress were summarised. The closing remarks offered not only an integrative reflection, but also a striking, almost humorous message from Wilhelmi, who captured the spirit of the day in a sentence that elicited smiles and agreement: “Longevity begins every morning: jumping in a fasted state could be the first step.”

During the congress, participants enjoyed a healthy breakfast and a delicious lunch prepared with seasonal and regional ingredients by Fernando Sánchez, Executive Chef of the Buchinger Wilhelmi Clinic Marbella, and his highly professional and dedicated kitchen team. These culinary offerings provided not only energy and well-being, but also valuable moments of exchange, in line with the clinic’s philosophy of uniting pleasure and health through mindful eating.

The Speakers

Victor Wilhelmi,  Clinic Management, Buchinger Wilhelmi Marbella

Dr Younes Regragui, Medical Director, Buchinger Wilhelmi Marbella

Facundo Diamante, Personal Trainer, Buchinger Wilhelmi Marbella

Dr Robin Mesnage, Scientific Director, Buchinger Wilhelmi Überlingen

Felipe Isidro Donate, Professor of Sports Science

Borja Martínez Téllez, Ramón y Cajal Researcher, University of Almería

Adrián Castillo García, FISSAC

Dr Carmen Rodríguez García, Nutrition Expert

Xevi Verdaguer, Expert in Psychoneuroimmunology

María Rodríguez Ayllón, PhD in Biomedicine

Manuel Martín Olvera, Bone Health Expert and Author