Abstract: Objective To study the distribution of single nucleotide polymorphisms（SNP） in highly mitochondrial DNA variable regionⅠ（mtDNA HVRⅠ） of pilots,and the endurance-related gene markers. Methods Eighty-six pilots and 80 healthy controls were included in this study.SNP in mtDNA HVRⅠwere detected by polymerase chain reaction（PCR） and direct sequencing,and compared with Cambridge reference sequences to determine the site,type and frequency of SNP. Results The frequency of SNP in mtDNA HVRⅠof pilots and healthy controls was higher than 10% at 11 and 8 sites and higher than 20% at 7 and 5 sites,respectively.The frequency of C16257A and C16261T was significantly higher in pilots than in controls. Conclusion SNP at C16257A and C16261T in mtDNA HVR Ⅰ are correlated with the endurance of pilots.