The mtDNA control region is an area of the mitochondrial genome which is non-coding DNA.

For this reason, the control region is also known by the acronym DLP, standing for D-Loop and associated Promoters.

[6] D-loop means "displacement loop" and, in the context of mtDNA, specifically refers to a third strand that occurs as a copy of the heavy chain inside the NCR.

[8] mtDNA control region haplotypes have been linked with endurance capacity in human subjects.

[9] A 2002 study sequenced the control region of 55 subjects and compared their haplotype with the increase in VO2 max after an eight-week training program.