Recent History of Effector Use Modulates Practice-Dependent Changes in Corticospinal Excitability but Not Motor Learning.

•We tested the effects of immobilization on subsequent practice-dependent plasticity and motor learning.•Immobilization did not impact pre-practice corticospinal excitability.•Immobilization enhanced practice-dependent changes in corticospinal excitability.•Immobilization did not enhance practice-dependent changes in TMS-evoked thumb movements or motor learning.•Enhancing practice-dependent changes in corticospinal excitability is not sufficient to promote motor learning.