Assistant Professor of Medicine, Divisions of General Internal Medicine and Geriatrics, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine
- MD, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO
- 2008 Jacqueline Marie Leaffer Center for Women’s Health Research Travel Award
- 2009 American College of Sports Medicine Foundation Research Grant
"As a former competitive cyclist and firm believer in the benefits of exercise I was surprised to learn that competitive cycling may cause bone density to decrease. I decided to study the potential causes and treatments of this problem. By determining how some types of exercise may have an adverse effect on bone health I can then try to maximize the beneficial effects of exercise on bone. My primary interest in the field of women’s health is the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis, a disease that affects women more often than men."
What is the Research Goal?
Dr. Barry’s research goal is to discover new ways to enhance increases in bone or muscle strength with exercise and make these therapies more effective at increasing bone density, which then decreases the risk of breaking bones.
Understanding the Research
Dr. Barry is investigating novel factors that determine how exercise results in changes in bone mineral density. Low bone mineral density (i.e., osteopenia or osteoporosis) increases the risk of breaking bones, particularly hip, forearm, and spine bones. These fractures can have serious consequences as they often require surgery and significant rehabilitation. Calcium supplementation and exercise are the first-line therapies for both the prevention and treatment of low bone mineral density.