leg-work

noun

1. work or research involving extensive walking or traveling about, usually away from one’s office, as in gathering data for a book, a legal action, etc.
2. action of the legs as executed by an athlete, dancer, etc.

noun

1. informal work that involves travelling on foot or as if on foot

n.1891, from leg (n.) + work (n.). Originally news reporter slang for an assignment that produced more walking than text.