I found an interesting article on CrossFit that ran in the Seattle Times back in February (02/26/08). It wasn't that the subject matter was unique (CrossFit) but that that writer was talking about the science behind (and recent studies) that substantiate the short, high intensity workouts that CrossFit endorses.
From the article:
"The research, published in the Journal of Applied Physiology, found
that performing repeated bouts of "sprint" exercises made profound
changes in skeletal muscle and endurance capacity, similar to training
that requires hours of exercise each week. The endurance capacity in
the sprint group increased on average from 26 to 51 minutes, and the
subjects' muscles showed a significant increase in citrate synthase, an
enzyme that is indicative of the tissue's ability to use oxygen.
Researchers at Southwest Missouri State University and the
University of Missouri found that accumulated 10-minute bursts totaling
30 minutes are more effective than continuous exercise in lowering fat
and triglyceride levels in the bloodstream after eating. The study
found that regular repetition of short exercise bouts can have a
positive effect on metabolism."
Read the rest of the article here.