It depends on how you define intensity I suppose.
Sprinting is high intensity, but football players don't appear to be facing a lot of catabolism. (I was actually my biggest and leanest when I did high intensity intervals). Again look at track sprinters versus distance runners.
And lifting/operating at a high percentage of your maximum capacity is commonly referred to as high intensity. Guys who lift heavy also aren't dealing with a lot of muscle loss.
Everything I've ever come across has pretty much stated the exact opposite of what you're saying.
Edit:
People who primarily do "cardio" workouts of jogging for an hour several times a week typically get referred to as "skinny fat" because they have very little muscle mass, are small, and still have a moderate bodyfat percentage.
People who do sprints/intervals and high intensity lifting typically get leaner, and carry muscle mass.
Last edited by bmontgomery87; 05-06-14 at 06:22 AM.